Part of being a teacher is writing many letters of recommendation for my students. There are letters for employment opportunities, letters to get into grad school and letters for practicums. Sometimes because of the details that need to be just right, I ask the student to write the letter and send it to me for my approval and signature.
This evening I wondered what it would be like if we needed a letter of recommendation to get into heaven. Who would we ask? Mark Twain once said we should have our enemies write our letters of recommendation because they are the only ones who would tell the truth about us. Our friends put icing on the cake.
There is no question that our greatest foe, Satan, would only have to tell the truth. It would be one occasion when he need not tell a lie. The truth is damming enough. I grew up singing the song, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” I cannot imagine that if Jesus would write a letter for us that He would ice the cake. He will tell the truth. We are not worthy. But then comes the good part. He is worthy to recommend us because He is worthy to give us eternal life. We get to live because He, our very best Friend who always tells the truth, vouches for us. The word “vouch” means to provide supporting evidence for the quality of somebody or something. He has kept careful record so He can show evidence that we trust Him. He has the data. He has the evidence. That’s what those books are for.
If we need a letter He will write it and He will sign it.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 2, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org