“Everyone would be ready for him if they knew the exact hour of his return—just as they would be ready for a thief if they knew when he was coming. So be ready all the time. For I, the Messiah, will come when least expected.” (Luke 12:39-40, Living Bible) Since Jesus warned us to be ready for His return, we need to take His advice seriously. Here are seven ways to be found faithful when Jesus returns:
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One: Stay out of quarrels. (TIP: Be a peacemaker.)
14 Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14, Living Bible)
Two: Seek to live a clean and holy life. (TIP: Seek God first, then a holy lifestyle will follow.)
14 Try to stay out of all quarrels, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for one who is not holy will not see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14, Living Bible)
3 And everyone who really believes this will try to stay pure because Christ is pure. 4 But those who keep on sinning are against God, for every sin is done against the will of God. 5 And you know that he became a man so that he could take away our sins, and that there is no sin in him, no missing of God’s will at any time in any way. 6 So if we stay close to him, obedient to him, we won’t be sinning either; but as for those who keep on sinning, they should realize this: They sin because they have never really known him or become his. (1 John 3:3-6, Living Bible)
Three: Don’t get bitter. (TIP: Cultivate unconditional love.)
15 Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives. (Hebrews 12:15, Living Bible)
Don’t get bitter when circumstances or people in your life don’t get better. The point of life’s trials is to develop character. God wants us to develop a better character right in the midst of trouble. When our heart response demonstrates the character of Christ, God is pleased. But, if we become resentful and bitter because of the actions of others, we put our spiritual growth in jeopardy. We do not want to walk around offended, critical and self-righteous—those are sins too!
Think of how patient Jesus (Yeshua) is with us and extend that love to others. Remember, we are called to love others, but we cannot control them or the results of their choices. Each person has a free will. Love, pray and put that situation or that person in the Lord’s hands.
Four: Don’t get involved in sexual sin. (TIP: A clean and holy life begins in the mind. Renew your mind with the Word of God.)
16 Watch out that no one becomes involved in sexual sin or becomes careless about God as Esau did: he traded his rights as the oldest son for a single meal. (Hebrews 12:16, Living Bible)
Five: Don’t become careless about God. (TIP: Care less about your flesh.)
16 Watch out that no one becomes involved in sexual sin or becomes careless about God as Esau did: he traded his rights as the oldest son for a single meal. 17 And afterwards, when he wanted those rights back again, it was too late, even though he wept bitter tears of repentance. So remember, and be careful. (Hebrews 12:17, Living Bible)
How can you identify what you care about? Ask yourself a few questions:
- What do I spend most of my time doing?
- What gets “dropped” when there is a conflict in my schedule?
- What has the highest priority in my life?
- What do I spend my money on?
- What do I talk about frequently? (The words of your mouth, reveal your heart).
Six: Be fruitful. God has given each of us gifts, talents, skills, money and time. (TIP: Ask yourself: How am I using my resources to give God glory?)
Keep in mind, the Lord makes a distinction between the faithful and the unfaithful. The Lord expects fruit from our lives and wants us to invest into His kingdom so He gets the increase. Jesus taught this truth throughout His ministry…
- The Story of Three Servants – Matthew 25:14-30
- Jesus Curses the Fig Tree without Fruit – Matthew 21:18-19
- The Story about a Fruitless Tree – Luke 13:4-8
15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5, New King James Version)
Seven: Be ready.
“Everyone would be ready for him if they knew the exact hour of his return—just as they would be ready for a thief if they knew when he was coming. So be ready all the time. For I, the Messiah, will come when least expected.” (Luke 12:39-40, Living Bible)
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