Luke 12:40 “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
It has been said for many years that Christ is coming soon. It’s still true. In fact, we are much closer to that hour than we were just a year ago.
The whole world knows that something is about to happen – even unbelievers. Everyone can sense it. Why is it then that so many believers seem to be asleep?
COVID seems to have killed the desire of many to go to church and serve God. They got out of the habit and have not shaken it off yet – no victory.
Notice that the verse above says that Jesus “cometh at an hour when ye think not.” With so many believers having given up hope – and certainly not being ready – it sounds very much like it could be any minute!
Think about it, Christian, can you call yourself ready for His appearing? That means having more than a feeling and lip service. It means doing what He said to do until He returns.
The parable of the talents was meant to illustrate Jesus, like the king going to a far country and giving to each servant differing amounts of talents. Then He returned from the journey: “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them“ (Mt. 25:19)
The reckoning in this verse refers to Christ calling into account what each of His children did with the talents He gave them in His absence. Then, they are rewarded for their profit to the King. Note what happens to the servant that did nothing with the talent: “Thou wicked and slothful servant… Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath“ (Mt. 25:26-28).
My dear Christian brother and sister, the Judgment Seat of Christ for believers is a serious thing. It will affect your eternity – not your salvation – but your rewards. There is nothing in Scripture that says you will have a second chance to earn more rewards. Thank God He forgives our failures and sin (I John 1:9) when we are serious about obeying, but isn’t it about time to get back to your “first love?”
What does it take to be “ready?” Doing those things faithfully (all of them) that the Bible teaches and doing it out of love for Him. This means no picking and choosing to do only those things that are easy or pleasant. If you really love Him, you will not think it a problem to obey Him: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1John 5:3).