Network Security and Eternal Security

It wasn't that long ago that we got our first wireless router. We didn't really have a need for it because all we owned was desktop computers. But when Cathy bought a laptop we had to start thinking about it. We bought the wireless card for it while we were on vacation because the hotel we were staying at didn't have any internet access. That was in Corpus Christi, Texas. We found out that the city was offering free wireless access city-wide (downtown) on a trial basis, which was exceedingly cool since we really had no other way of connecting unless we happened to get close enough to a hotel that did have access. Anyway, we didn't know much about wireless network security (I wouldn't say we're experts even now) but I was impressed to find out about MAC address filtering, in which you log into your router's password-protected "settings" page and enter the MAC address of each computer that you want to grant access to your network.... um, to. Only computers whose MAC address is listed in your MAC address filtering page will be granted access, all others will be denied. Also, I discovered that you can cancel the broadcast of your network's name and other info so it won't show up when a would-be intruder tried to find it. Plus, on top of those things, you can use a password-scrambling thing so that even if someone found your network, they'd have to crack the scrambling technology to even get TO the network, where MAC address filtering should (hopefully!) shut them down. There's probably still some way we'll get hacked and someone will steal the only backup copy of my Nickname page that's on my website. If you're thinking about going there to read it, let me save you some pain: DON'T DO IT! IT'S TOO BORING!

So the MAC address filtering thing reminded me of the Lamb's Book of Life, which according to the book of Revelation is opened on Judgement Day ( "If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15) Another similar reference, though from the "glass is half full" viewpoint is a few verses later ("Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." Rev 21:27)

"No hackers will ever enter it, but only those whose MAC address is written in the Router's List of Permitted Computers to Access the Network" a verse I just made up.

It's important to note (keeping in mind the title of this post) that the life Jesus gives to His followers is everlasting life. Once your name is in the Book of Life, it's there to stay.
"He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels." Rev 3:5)

I guess I could make more "connections" there, like how the router tries to hide the network by not broadcasting network info, but when it comes to the Book of Life, God wants us not to conceal it but to shout it from the hilltops. Okay maybe that was a contrast, not a connection.

And trying to figure out some passages in the Bible can feel like trying to crack a revolving, scrambled code password, but thankfully we don't have to figure them all out to enter.

Another thought on eternal security is that it's by God's grace that we receive everlasting life. Not by works, lest any man should boast. So if you didn't gain it by works (something you did right) you can't lose it by works (something you do wrong). That's security: Knowing for a fact that Heaven is your destiny, not wondering if you'll make it. Besides, if you could lose your everlasting life, it wouldn't really be everlasting, would it? Jesus says it is. And it's all free. All ya gotta do is ask! Oh, and believe. Access the Network in the sky- It's free, but not on a trial basis. It's free permanantly. But for a limited time only, act now! I better stop now, this is getting too corny.