Paul said in Galatians 2: 19, I have been crucified with Christ. He explained this in Galatians 5: 24 that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. He said further in Acts 17: 28, for in him we live and move and have our being, as even some of your own poets have said, “For we are his offspring.” So in order to be ready for Jesus, we must first, be crucified with Christ; second, we must deny worldly passions and desires; and thirdly, we must live in Christ as his offspring.
We unreservedly share the inspired words of the apostles led by the Holy Spirit. First, in order to achieve the above, we must always ask for God’s will in Christ Jesus and obey his will all the time. Second, we must take steps which are approved by the Holy Spirit through scripture, some of which are as follows:
We must know who we are
We are not here on a permanent basis but will soon be gone. James 4: 14 says what is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. We were formed out of the dust of the ground, Genesis 2: 7. We are dust, and to dust we shall return, Genesis 3: 19. Abraham said in Genesis 28: 14, I am but dust and ashes. Job said to God in Job 10: 9 remember that you fashioned me like clay; and you will turn me to dust again. Ecclesiastes 3: 2 says… all are from dust, and all turn to dust again. If we know who we are, we will agree with Paul.
Dust and ashes cannot meet God but the soul and the spirit. Therefore, our priority must first be the salvation of the soul. Daniel cautioned in Daniel 12: 2, many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Paul wants us to bear the image of Christ for he says in 1 Corinthians 15: 47-49, the first man was from the earth, and the second man is from heaven… just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. Paul says we must bear the image of Jesus Christ the man from heaven.
We must know our God
Knowing God is having a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Jesus said in Matthew 7: 21, “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Jesus knows the character of every heart so we must be true to him. Solomon said of God in 1 Kings 8: 39, only you know what is in every human heart. Also said 1 Chronicles 28: 9, the LORD searches every mind, and understands every plan and thought. Acts 1: 24 said, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. 1John 3: 20 said God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
We must not contest or criticize God. Isaiah 45: 9 says woe to you who strive with your Maker, earthen vessels with the potter! Does the clay say to the one who fashions it, “What are you making”? or “Your work has no handles”? Isaiah 64: 8 says O LORD, you are our Father,… we are all the work of your hand. Jeremiah 18: 6 says can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? {Read also Romans 9: 21). God is desirous to prepare us for the final day with Christ Jesus. Are we ready? Isaiah 64: 6 says we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
We must be wise with our days
Without exception, anybody could leave this life any time any day without notice. Therefore, we must apply divine wisdom to our days on earth. David said in Psalms 90: 12, teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart. The bible says in Ecclesiastes 3: 1 for everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. David said in Psalms 103: 15, as for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Jesus wants us to oil our lamps and wait for his coming, Matthew 25: 1-13.
Jesus said, watch and pray, Matthew 26: 41. Also, 2 John 1: 8 says be on your guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward. Jesus cautioned for vigilance in the parable of the talents from Matthew 25: 14-30. Jesus said in Revelation 3: 11, I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. This means we must be faithful to God till the end of time. Revelation 2: 10 says be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. We will not see God through Christ Jesus if we are not crucified with Christ in every aspect of our lives.
We must not procrastinate
We are fond of shifting things to dates outside our control. James 4: 13-14 says we do not even know what tomorrow will bring. Hebrews 3: 15 says today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. Jesus said in John 10: 27 my sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. Only those who hear the voice of Christ Jesus will follow his word to take up his yoke. Jesus said in Revelation 3: 20, listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. God continues to invite us even as sinners, Romans 5: 8.
Jesus said in John 14: 15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. This is immediate, not tomorrow. Jesus did not procrastinate saving us through Christ Jesus. Paul said in Galatians 4: 4-5, but when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may receive adoption as children. Tomorrow may be too late. The bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5: 2, 4; 2 Peter 3: 10; Revelation 3: 3; 16: 15 the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. We must be ready when the Lord comes!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we have fallen short of the steps we must take in order to meet you. Your word is clear that we may have no excuse in failing to prepare. We invite you into our hearts as Lord and Saviour. Renew and revive us with wisdom to do what is right. Help us to be humble, obedient and true to you as we prepare for our reunion with you. Merciful Lord Jesus, hear us in our holy name, Amen!!
