Be Ready
A couple of weeks ago we were looking at the Scripture found In Matthew 24:44, where we have Jesus telling His disciples, and us as well, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” We notice last time that we are not to be getting ready. We are to be ready! And to be ready we must know that Jesus has forgiven us and cleansed us and now dwells in our hearts through the Holy Spirit. That is something which should be without question.
Now, we know that we are living in a world which is sin cursed and full of evil and sin and the atmosphere is not conducive to living a Christian life. So much and so many are set against anything Godly, anything that has to do with Jesus; against the truth of God’s Word which teaches us what is right and what is wrong. So, it behooves us as Christians to keep alert and awake and not allow the devil to make any inroads into our minds or hearts. Church is important! We are to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. But it will have to more than just going to church. As one writer put it, “Mere association with the Church is not enough—personal preparation is key…Readiness is not a Sunday-Sunday thing—it is a daily lifestyle of holiness, obedience, and intimacy with God.”
It would be easy to become so busy or so distracted until we get drowsy spiritually speaking or begin to fall asleep, if you will, as to spiritual things and our relationship with God. It will take a continued renewing of the Holy Spirit in order to keep awake. Jesus gave the illustration of the ten virgins. At first they all were ready for the Bridegroom. Then they began to doze and some fell asleep. Five of them let their lamps go out and didn’t have any oil to light them. The oil is a type of the Holy Spirit. One commentator says this: “We cannot be ready for Jesus without being filled with His Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live rightly and stay alert…Ask God daily to fill you with His Spirit. Worship, pray, and listen for His guidance in your daily life.”
John the Apostle tells us, in I John 2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” If we allow ourselves to get too attached to what is in the world, our spiritual senses will become dull. We will open ourselves up to shallowness and spiritual drowsiness. As one writer said, “We must learn to hold the things of this world loosely and focus on eternal priorities. The return of Jesus should inspire a heart that longs more for heaven than for earthly gain.”
Jesus tells us be ready!