Readiness For Christ's Coming

READINESS FOR CHRIST'S COMING.

1 Thessalonians 5:6,8,9 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

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As true believers in Christ, God will not allow us to partake of the imminent calamity coming upon the wicked and unrelenting world. So, He has made provision for us to escape the wrath to come.

Just as He did in Noah's time by instructing Noah to construct an Ark that was used for the preservation of man and animals. (Genesis 6)

We also saw God providing a way of escape for Lot's family when Sodom was to be destroyed. (Genesis 19)

In our text, Apostle Paul has outlined some admonitions to help us prepare for the coming of the Lord. These include the following:

*1. Let Us Not Sleep as Do Others

To sleep is to lose focus on the heavenly programme; when one becomes indifferent, careless, and unfaithful to the Lord. No more paying attention to the things of God. Valuable things of the kingdom are trodden under feet. The slogan for many as regards Christian values is " it doesn't matter”

Like the foolish virgins "While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept."(Matthew 25:5)

And the disciples who could not pray when it matters most.

"And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?"(Matthew 26:40)

*2. Let Us Watch.

Be alert always and live godly in Christ.

*Watch against temptation.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

*Watch the places you go to.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Avoid places where you are easily susceptible to temptations.

*Watch the kind of friends you

keep.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Remember Amnon, David's son lusted after his half-sister but did not know how to get to her. It was his friend, Jonadab who gave him evil counsel that eventually led to his raping his sister and his subsequent destruction.

The Bible says:

Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

*Watch your tongue and temper

Psalms 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and thy praise all the day long. Psalms 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

*Watch jealously over your relationship with God and fellow men.

Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

*3. And Be Sober.

Don't allow anything to intoxicate you, not even happiness and joy. Be sober. Be your normal Christian self.

Titus 2:11-13 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

*4. Put on the Breastplate of Faith, Love and a Helmet, the Hope of Salvation.

Putting on these instruments of war is an indication that we must be ready to fight the good fight of faith. Satan does not want anyone to make it in the rapture.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

*5.Occupy Till He Comes

Every passing day brings us closer to the coming of the Lord. We are to reach out with the gospel to the unsaved and careless souls around us. Knowing the terror of the Lord, we need to persuade men to come to Christ and receive eternal life before it is too late.

May God bless and keep you🙏