Are we ready for Jesus to return?
Some people believe we are nearing the return of Jesus. The world and even the Church have gone crazy in ways most older adults could never have imagined.
Jesus warns His Church to be very alert so they will be found living obedient lives when He comes back to judge humanity. Read Matthew 24 and Matthew 25. Mediate especially on Matthew 25: 31-46.
Some will say that Jesus is saying that when we help anyone, we help Him (“you did it to Me”). But Jesus always identifies with His Church, not all of humanity: “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ( Acts 9:3-5)
So, in the Matthew 25 passage above, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that Christians have to love other Christians who are in need. Our obedience “to love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34-35) determines whether we are classified as sheep or goats!
Yes–we are saved by grace alone–but grace that is alone will not save. We must strive to obey God’s commandments to be saved. “Faith without works is dead” as James 2:14-16 declares. James 2:14-26 emphasizes that true, saving faith is not just intellectual assent or a verbal confession, but is demonstrated through actions and good works.
John, the apostle who writes above love so much in his epistles, confirms what James says when he writes, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18)
Paul writes in Galations 6:10 prioritizes that Chrhisians should do good for Christians as a priority above helping others.
All of this makes sense when you remember that the new commandment Jesus gave to us was to love one another as He has loved us. Doing so is proof to the world that we belong to Jesus! (John 13:34-35)
So, how do we get ready for the Lord’s return?
More than anything, live your life in an intimate love relationship with God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Fall in love with Him! If you are lukewarm in your love for Him, repent and ask for His help to be love-sick for Him.
That is the best and surest way to live obediently and be ready for His return!
Secondly, take a brutally honest inventory of the way you are living.
Don’t just grimace and say “Gee whiz, I am really messing up with these sins–things you do or don’t do that displease God–take responsibility to make changes where necessary. Get an accountability partner if you are really serious about living a holier life.
Thirdly, don’t give up. God loves it when we try to love Him with all of our heart, soul and strength and keep failing—BUT, we do not give up!!
When a child is learning to walk, he falls down a lot, but parents are thrilled to see the child get up and try again. That’s how Our Heavenly Father sees us as we try to love Him, listen to Him, talk to Him and obey Him!
He is deeply honored by our persistent commitment to please Him, despite our many failures to do so.
Many blessings on you as you get ready for the return of Jesus!
Life on earth is short and fragile. We could be in heaven tomorrow for all we know.
Do it NOW! Start living like a “sheep” now! Start loving needy Christians NOW!
You only have one earthly life. Make it the best you can while you can.
Eternity is coming…ready or not.
Blessings,
Pastor Bob
