There has never been any time in human history, as now, that the signs of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ are more clearly seen being revealed, since the time that He prophesied about them in Matthew 24:4-8, 36-39. In the face of these glaring facts of the imminent return of Jesus Christ for His bride, the church, the clarion call for all true Christians is that of prompt readiness for His return: every Christian must cast away the cares of this temporal world and be prepared for their next life in God’s eternal Kingdom, which shall soon be revealed in glory!
“Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the son of man cometh… Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing” Matthew 24:44, 46
LOOKING INWARDS, OUTWARDS AND UPWARDS.
2 Corinthians 13:5; John 4:35; Hebrews 12:2
In preparing ourselves for the Lord’s return, we are to adopt a threefold strategy to make our preparations thorough and successful. They are as follows:
1. Looking Inwards: Psalm 139:23-24; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Jude 1:20-21; Mark 7:20-23; Proverbs 4:23
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and Spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” 2 Corinthians 7:1
All Christian brethren must be wary of the stratagem employed by Satan to keep them so occupied with the daily running of the affairs of their lives, so much that the inward condition of their hearts suffers neglect. We must learn to acquire the discipline of constant self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). We must assure ourselves, by the witness of the Holy Spirit of God, that we are still walking in the narrow path to eternal life in heaven.
We must avoid being biased in our own favour when it comes to the issue of self examination because that cannot change what’s settled in God’s record about us. I say this because some Christians like to think of themselves as being already half way into heaven even when the clear evidence proves otherwise! This bias could be as a result of a limited knowledge of the standard God demands of us, or as a result of a wilfull self-deception just for man’s applause.
“Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” Proverbs 20:6
If we are sincerely aware of the existence of such moral weakness in our lives we would each do well to ask the Lord to search us Himself; to help search the deepest places of our hearts where our personal and limited probes dare not go.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23-24
Looking inwards of our hearts, by the help of God’s Spirit, helps us to control the flow of emotional traffic in and out of it, which in turn helps us to live a life worthy of our profession of faith in Christ. Jude 1:20-21; Proverbs 4:23
If we can successfully guard our hearts from satanic invasion and defilement, then, we can also live a life of holiness unto God.
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” Proverbs 4:23
We must understand that Jesus Christ is returning to rapture a holy church without spot or wrinkle, so our hearts should match His expectation: there should be no room for such vices as malice, bitterness, unforgiveness, immoral thoughts and lusts within it. Mark 7:20-23.
“… That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” Ephesians 5:27.
2. Looking Outward: Matthew 9:34-36; John 4:34-38; Jude 1:22-23; Philippians 2:4
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherds” Matthew 9:36
One of the most common mistakes we make as Christians is the over-concentration of spiritual care on ourselves, leaving others around us out in the cold hands of a bleak fate, and the danger of a Christ-less eternity, with no hope of salvation. We may claim that because they attend church meetings, they may not be ignorant of the truth that can save them; but, then, we also fail to realize that some of us were also in the same shoes before Christ eventually saved us by His grace. As religious persons, before we got saved, we might have had a form of godliness but, certainly, not the power of a transformed life, just like must people we are out there. We must help them find Christ, too, now that God has saved us from the clutches of a vain religious life without salvation.
“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” Philippians 2:4
The world around us needs to be saved. Jesus saw the multitudes of lost sinners, knowing full well where they would end up at death, unless they were saved, and He had compassion on them. If we count ourselves fortunate to be saved and destined for heaven at last, then let us look outwards towards others around us and help them share in this our glorious hope: let us win them for Christ before the opportunity is forever lost!
Proverbs 24:11-12:
“If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works? “
The world is ripe for harvest, but the harvesters are more engrossed in their personal and temporal pursuit, which is of no eternal value, than for the souls moving headlong towards the pit of hell. Let’s be careful not to lose our own place in heaven because of a willful neglect of God’s call to soul winning. The fields are so ripe for harvest that we could easily gather in many souls for Christ if only we are as mindful of soul winning as we are of our personal businesses and family matters. John 4:34-38.
As we wait for the Lord’s return, let us engage ourselves in earnest evangelism and following up of new converts. Let us pick an interest in the lives of our neighbors and create an opportunity to witness Christ the Saviour to them.
“And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
Jude 1:22-23.
3. Looking Upward: Hebrews 12:1-3; Luke 21:25-28; Philippians 3:20-21.
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” Luke 21:28.
There are so many things in the world with which anyone might be distracted and thrown off focus at any given time! Such things might come from within or around us. The song writer wrote: “My foes are ever near me, around me and within, but Jesus draw thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin”.
“…Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2.
As the signs of the end are manifested every day, we are admonished to look up towards heaven for our redemption, not on the happenings around. Why? The answer is simply because the happening around us are capable of causing us to be discouraged (Matthew 24:10-12), afraid and, thus, lose faith in God (Luke 21:25-26).
The barbaric and demonic activities people do today without so much of a thought for the plight of their victims are all in an attempt to provoke hatred, revenge and unforgiveness in the heart. The Christian should be careful!!! Many Christians’ hearts have been defiled already by such emotions. Let’s quickly repent, refocus and look away from the happenings around us. God has promised to take care of all who would endure all these evils without a compromise. Let’s, therefore, brace up for the worst, but with our eyes looking upwards to heaven.
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls” Luke 21:17-19
Making heaven is not meant to be as easy as eating a piece of cake; we must enter there “… through much tribulation”, and the earlier we start preparing to make sacrifices and learn to place obedience to God above our personal wishes and/or desires, the better.
“For yet a little while and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:37-39.
This message is timely,
Thanks sir more grace in Jesus name,Amen