Are You Ready?
How many times have you been asked this question? I am sure over the course of our lives this question has been asked of us countless numbers of time. Each time this is asked, it has reference to the subject at hand. If we were preparing to go to an event, being ready would entail being properly attired, or having at hand the items needed for such an occasion. Most of the time when we have “gotten ready” for something there was a set schedule, an itinerary, or something of that nature. We also, depending on the particular event, knew what preparation needed to have been made.
How often do we fail to remember there is an all-important event coming although we don’t know the exact time it shall happen? The second coming of our Lord is an event, about which much speculation abounds. This is despite the fact that the Lord Himself stated in Mark 13:32, even He had not been told while He was on the earth when this was to occur. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. However, we have been granted ample time to make the appropriate preparation. The failure to make ready is to live in vain because, if not ready, all that remains for eternity is condemnation.
The apostle Paul, in 2Corinthians 6:1-2, was directed by the Spirit to warn the church in Corinth to “get ready” & “stay ready” because no one knows how much time remains before the Lord returns and “time” is no more. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Another passage that warns of the fallacy of not being ready is Romans 13:11. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Another reason to be ready, is so we can properly serve the Lord as He has directed in His Word, and as opportunities present themselves. We read in 2Timothy 2:21 that part of being ready is to “shun” certain things that we might be suitable for service to God. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. We are also to be ready to explain our hope in Christ to all who ask, per 1Peter 3:15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: With such warnings as these, why would anyone delay in getting ready and remaining so? Procrastination is a tool of Satan to prevent the Christian from faithful service to God.
Upon being asked if one is ready, often excuses abound when one has not made proper preparations, or are focused on other things. Our Lord made allusion to this in Luke 14:16-20 as Christ taught on the kingdom that was then coming, but now is. We see that the folks in this lesson rejected the kingdom, and made excuses. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
The same seems to be the case today, when the kingdom, (the church) is now, and has been in existence for many years. We know that this was the case in the time of the writing of the Roman letter. Some opine that this letter was penned around A.D. 57-58, a scant 13 or 14 years from the start of the Lord’s church. In Romans 1:18-21 we clearly see that excuses aren’t going to be accepted. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
2Thessalonians 1:8-9 informs us that this “wrath of God” is going to be unleashed on all who fail to make ready, and on all who fail to stay ready, when the Lord returns. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Can we not see the need to warn others to get ready and stay ready as well as to make sure that we are ready? Why wait until time runs out? It will then be too late! Why not obey the gospel today, and then strive to be faithful in reading, studying, meditating on and living the Word? Are You Ready?
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
