03/05/2019
Are you complacent in your edification of one another? Do you speak of your faith in Jesus Christ when together, and lift each other up in faith? Do you pray for the troubles of your brothers and sisters in Christ so that they might be spared the intoxication of night, and be ready for the moment of our Lord’s return? We should encourage ourselves and others of faith.
“For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 ESV
As a young man I slept soundly, and if by chance I was awakened in the night I could fall right back into a deep slumber, but now, as I have aged, my sleep is less certain and sound, and if I am awakened in the night it is difficult for me to return to a full and restful sleep. Our faith should mimic our life’s sleep. Before we know Jesus Christ we sleep as if intoxicated and aren’t easily awoken, but once we come to know Him we should sleep lightly for fear of missing the sound of His return.
“"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.”
Luke 12:35-36 ESV
We should be at the ready constantly, and as we wait for the return of our Lord, we should be building ourselves up so that we will be prepared at a moment’s notice to greet Him. The question becomes this... “Are we preparing ourselves and our faiths for the coming of Christ, or are we too busy living in the world to look towards heaven?” I often ask myself if I am preparing myself appropriately, and helping those around me to do the same.
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”
Jude 1:20-21 ESV
What if Jesus had been too busy living to die? What if His priority was placed on teaching a few more souls, and He missed the cross? Of course He wouldn’t have, but If not careful, we can fall into such a trap... one in which we are so engrossed in the work we are doing “for the kingdom” that we fail to prepare our own selves for the cross; for the coming Lord.
We might know scripture, we might serve the church, we might stand on the corner and pray, and we might also work diligently to spread the gospel, but is our own heart and faith being strengthened in the process? Who preaches to the preacher, and who sanctifies the saints as they go about their lives of faithful service... if not one another? Our service to the kingdom is more than good, but not by doing so at the expense of our own souls... take time to lift one another up, sit together and in excited voices thrill each other concerning the coming of the Lord, because there will be a point at which this world will hear to trumpet sound, and whatever is at that moment will be at an end, and judgement will come.
“Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy." "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”
Revelation 22:11-12 ESV
Practice looking towards heaven, and join together in calling out “Come Lord Jesus” because this is His promise to us... our greatest joy, and for those caught unprepared it will be their deepest fear, and sorrow.
“He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
Revelation 22:20 ESV
How is your faith? How is it with your soul? If the trumpet were to sound right now would you be ready to answer its call?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the promise of your Son Jesus Christ’s return to claim His bride. Thank you Holy Father for your Word, and your love that prepares us spiritually for that moment of rapture, and thank you for your Holy Spirit that gives us understanding of what to expect in that instant so that our souls will be ready. Help us Father to strengthen our own faiths as we seek to add souls to your kingdom. Help us Merciful Father to ready ourselves, and not to neglect our personal faiths and souls in our haste and dedication to serve you. Increase us Gracious Father by the relationship we have with you, and by the efforts of the saints that surround us as we look together towards the clouds from which your Son will appear. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who instructs us to be at the ready for the Messiah’s return. Great are you whose Holy Spirit prepares us, and encourages our souls. Praised be your name as we longingly await the sound of His coming. We pray Father that we are complete in our faith at that moment, and feel the earth fall away as our feet lift towards heaven at the answer to your call.
Rich Forbes