It’s true that Jesus is returning to earth one day. And Luke 12:40 warns us to “be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
For that reason, it’s indeed a good idea to be ready. But how do we get ready? What can we do to prepare for His coming? There are many things, but the following are among the most important, it appears, in Scripture:
1. Make sure we belong to Jesus. This is clearly the most important of all “preparations.” Without it, we’d be most sorrowful at His coming.
John 3:18 says it this way: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
If we belong to Jesus, we’ll gladly welcome Him back; if we don’t, the pain will be most unbearable.
2. Live a life that follows Matthew 22:37-39, which says: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Now, we shouldn’t do this one instead of belonging to Jesus, because that won’t make us right with God. We’d still need God’s forgiveness of our sins.
But for those who’ve come to Christ for salvation already, living a life thereafter of loving both Him and other people appears to be extremely important.
3. Be a good steward of what God has given us. Luke 12:42-43 says “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.”
Luke 12:48 adds, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required.”
If God has given us talents - like speaking, serving, hosting or other skills - He wants us to use them, often and for His glory. Or if He’s given us a family, job, home, ministry or other responsibilities, He wants us to handle those well.
Some day, Jesus is coming back. In light of that, I often have to ask myself: What am I doing to get ready?
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“Surely I am coming quickly.” (Jesus, in Revelation 22:20)
Galva —
