It is very sobering, in reflection of the work we have left to do, before we kneel before HIS MAJESTY, THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY! Are we ready for that day? Are we putting in order, the matters which will find us, on that day, with evidence of our allegiance to HIM???
We HAVE responsibility TO *GOD*, TO LOVE, TO EACH OTHER, as part, and parcel of THE COVENANT OF RECONCILIATION, and Salvation; there is NO denying it, no shifting of the pertinence of conforming in conduct TO HIS WILL, as we ARE a CHOSEN race, premised UPON HOLINESS! Are we working through HIS GRACE towards that end? Do we even consider the depth of HOLINESS in context of inclusion in HIS WILL???
There are over 50 BIBLE verses about being prepared; let us consider a few:
MATTHEW 24: 44...
So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.
To watch for Christ's coming, is to maintain that temper of mind which we would be willing that our Lord should find us in.
We know we have but a little time to live, we cannot know that we have a long time to live; much less do we know the time fixed for the judgment. Our Lord's coming will be happy to those that shall be found ready, but very dreadful to those that are not.
If a man, professing to be the servant of Christ, be an unbeliever, covetous, ambitious, or a lover of pleasure, he will be cut off. Those who choose the world for their portion in this life, will have hell for their portion in the other life.
May our Lord, when he cometh, pronounce us blessed, and present us to the Father, washed in his blood, purified by his Spirit, and fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.
PROVERBS 6: 6-8...
6/ Go to the ant, O sluggard, study her ways and learn wisdom;
7/ For though she has no chief, no commander or ruler,
8/ She procures her food in the summer, stores up her provisions in the harvest.
Diligence in business is every man's wisdom and duty; not so much that he may attain worldly wealth, as that he may not be a burden to others, or a scandal to the church. The ants are more diligent than slothful men. We may learn wisdom from the meanest insects, and be shamed by them. Habits of indolence and indulgence grow upon people. Thus life runs to waste; and poverty, though at first at a distance, gradually draws near, like a traveller; and when it arrives, is like an armed man, too strong to be resisted.
All this may be applied to the concerns of our souls. How many love their sleep of sin, and their dreams of worldly happiness! Shall we not seek to awaken such? Shall we not give diligence to secure our own salvation?
LUKE 21: 36...
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man."
Christ tells his disciples to observe the signs of the times, which they might judge by. He charges them to look upon the ruin of the Jewish nation as near. Yet this race and family of Abraham shall not be rooted out; it shall survive as a nation, and be found as prophesied, when the Son of man shall be revealed.
He cautions them against being secure and sensual. This command is given to all Christ's disciples, Take heed to yourselves, that ye be not overpowered by temptations, nor betrayed by your own corruptions.
We cannot be safe, if we are carnally secure. Our danger is, lest the day of death and of judgment should come upon us when we are not prepared. Lest, when we are called to meet our Lord, that be the furthest from our thoughts, which ought to be nearest our hearts. For so it will come upon the most of men, who dwell upon the earth, and mind earthly things only, and have no converse with heaven.
It will be a terror and a destruction to them. Here see what should be our aim, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all those things; that when the judgements of God are abroad, we may not be in the common calamity, or it may not be that to us which it is to others.
Do you ask how you may be found worthy to stand before Christ at that day? Those who never yet sought Christ, let them now go unto him; those who never yet were humbled for their sins, let them now begin; those who have already begun, let them go forward and be kept humbled.
Watch therefore, and pray always. Watch against sin; watch in every duty, and make the most of every opportunity to do good. Pray always: those shall be accounted worthy to live a life of praise in the other world, who live a life of prayer in this world. May we begin, employ, and conclude each day attending to Christ's word, obeying his precepts, and following his example, that whenever he comes we may be found watching.
You see, THE NEW HEAVENS, and THE NEW EARTH, shall be PURE, completely cleansed of what is corruptible, as ETERNAL LIFE begins! *GOD* WILL NOT have more of the same, thus, we have this time to DO the BEST we can, IN HIS EXAMPLE, ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, and WAYS! Let us look into this:
2 PETER 3: 11-14...
11/ Since everything is to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought (you) to be, conducting yourselves in holiness and devotion,
12/waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire.
13/ But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14/ Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
From the doctrine of Christ's second coming, we are exhorted to purity and godliness. This is the effect of real knowledge. Very exact and universal holiness is enjoined, not resting in any low measure or degree. True Christians look for new heavens and a new earth; freed from the vanity to which things present are subject, and the sin they are polluted with. Those only who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, shall be admitted to dwell in this holy place. He is faithful, who has promised.
Those, whose sins are pardoned, and their peace made with God, are the only safe and happy people; therefore follow after peace, and that with all men; follow after holiness as well as peace.
Never expect to be found at that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in which we must finish the work given us to do. Only the diligent Christian will be the happy Christian in the day of the Lord. Our Lord will suddenly come to us, or shortly call us to him; and shall he find us idle?
Learn to make a right use of the patience of our Lord, who as yet delays his coming.
Proud, carnal, and corrupt men, seek to wrest some things into a seeming agreement with their wicked doctrines. But this is no reason why St. Paul's epistles, or any other part of the Scriptures, should be laid aside; for men, left to themselves, pervert every gift of God.
Then let us seek to have our minds prepared for receiving things hard to be understood, by putting in practice things which are more easy to be understood.
But there must be self-denial and suspicion of ourselves, and submission to the authority of Christ Jesus, before we can heartily receive all the truths of the gospel, therefore we are in great danger of rejecting the truth.
And whatever opinions and thoughts of men are not according to the law of God, and warranted by it, the believer disclaims and abhors. Those who are led away by error, fall from their own steadfastness.
And that we may avoid being led away, we must seek to grow in all grace, in faith, and virtue, and knowledge.
Labour to know Christ more clearly, and more fully; to know him so as to be more like him, and to love him better. This is the knowledge of Christ, which the apostle Paul reached after, and desired to attain; and those who taste this effect of the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, will, upon receiving such grace from him, give thanks and praise him, and join in ascribing glory to him now, in the full assurance of doing the same hereafter, for ever.
There is MUCH more to discuss on preparedness, though, studying, and devouring THE WORD, is a great place to begin! Throughout the life of this site, preparedness is the central theme, and will continue to be so, for it IS imperative, and IN LOVE, we aim to support ALL to receiving their crown, and sharing IN HIS GLORY!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2013
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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