04/24/2021
Jesus is coming, He is coming as certainly as any promise we have ever received, but will we be ready for His return? Will we have been sanctified, and held blameless in our preparation for His arrival? When we believe in God, and Jesus Christ, then yield ourselves by loving them and obeying their commandments, God promises to sanctify us. We can’t do this ourselves, but we can accept His gift of redemption and righteousness by our believing, and His grace. We will find the peace of Christ by our absolute faith in Him. Are we ready? Will God sanctify us... spirit, soul, and body?
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 ESV
My wife takes pride in our home. She spends a great deal of time cleaning it, making certain that everything is in its place, and that it looks beautiful, but when she knows that someone is coming to see us she takes this need for cleanliness and order to an entirely different level. Suddenly she begins to run about cleaning as fast and thoroughly as she can, and is almost in a panic as she frantically prepares for their arrival. Do you, or your spouse fit this description? Do you want everything to be perfect when visitors, even family members, come to your home?
Well, we should have this same overwhelming desire driving us in our faith as we prepare for the coming of Christ. No amount of effort should be too much as we put every part of our life in order. The difference is that we only know that Jesus is coming, and have no idea as to when He will actually get here.
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.”
Matthew 24:44-46 ESV
I watch my wife in her unrelenting effort to keep our home in order, and am amazed at how she can do this day after day. Sometimes though I tell her to rest because no one is coming today, and she needs to take a break, but she pays me little mind. In her defense there have been many times when a surprise visitor has dropped in, and found our home to be in perfect order... as if we had been expecting them all along.
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Matthew 25:13 ESV
While we wait for our redeemer to return are we busy preparing for His arrival? Does it matter that He is family, that He abides here in us, or even that He is the head of the household?
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”
Proverbs 6:6-8 ESV
I used to travel as a part of my job, but when I came home at the end of a trip I found everything in order, and a fine meal waiting on the table. I could walk through the front door and know that my wife had been hurrying about getting everything ready for my homecoming.
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies.”
Song of Solomon 6:3 ESV
So as we await the coming of Jesus are we busy preparing ourselves for His arrival? Are we obeying our Lord’s commandments, and readying ourselves, Spirit, soul, and body, to receive God’s sanctification? Will our house be in order, clean, and ready for the surprise visitor who will come without warning and knock at our door? Will we be ready to receive Him with open arms, and be prepared to marvel at the wonderful gifts He brings?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the unknown hour in which your Son Jesus will return to claim His bride. Thank you for using our uncertainty to good advantage as we prepare ourselves for Him, and maintain our lives of faith in good order every day... as we hope this very moment will be the instant of His glory. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who looks upon us in our preparation for Christ’s return, and who promises to sanctify us in the joining of our faithfulness. You are true to your Word Father, and we praise you as we drink from the cup of Jesus, and remember Him, especially as we work to straighten our house for His certain arrival. You are merciful Father, and by your Holy Spirit we are led through your Holy Word to claim the prophesy of Jesus that we cling to with each breath we draw. Your grace abounds in those things that ready us for judgement, and those things which stir our anticipation of eternity with you. Hear our prayers as we clean our spiritual homes in the blood of Christ, and maintain our bodies in good and righteous order by our obedience to you, and your perfect will. Find us worthy Lord, and take pleasure in us as you look about your abode... in Jesus find nothing out of place, and no sin left unforgiven. In our unceasing prayers hear us as we pray “Come Lord Jesus, and may the grace of the Lord Jesus be with us all!”
Rich Forbes