Getting Ready

Luke 21:25 – 28 There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.

Oh, dear. This sounds pretty awful, doesn’t it? Anguish and perplexity, roaring and tossing of the sea, fainting, terror . . . No. This doesn’t sound good at all.

And what’s really scary is that some of these things are already happening!

But Jesus tells us that bad news is actually good news. He tells us that when we see these terrible things happening in the world, we should get ready. Look up, for we can know He’s coming at any time.

Oh, how I want to just stand out in my yard and look up to the skies! I want to watch for Him and wait for Him. How I wish He would come and rid this world of evil once and for all.

I know I’m ready. You see, when I was a little girl, I heard a man in church tell me that Jesus loved me. He told me I was a sinner – just like everyone else on the planet. He really didn’t have to tell me that, though. I already knew about the things I had done that displeased God.

This man told me that God had to punish sin, but that He loved me so much, He sent His son Jesus to take the punishment for me. He told me that all I had to do, to earn a right relationship with God was believe that Jesus had died for my sins, that He had conquered death and risen on the third day, and that He now lives in Heaven.

That’s all. I just had to believe that, and tell God “Thank You” and “I’m sorry”, and He would adopt me.

That night, I believed. Ever since then, I’ve been His daughter, and my life has never been the same.

I’m ready, and I want you to be ready, too. And just in case you aren’t, I’d like to share with you how you can be ready for that day.

First, you must admit that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 says “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” If sin is anything that is offensive to God, well . . . that makes us all sinners. Every last one of us. And God cannot, will not allow sin to go unpunished, for He is a God of justice.

Next, you must understand that God has already decided that the punishment for sin is death. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death . . .” So, that pretty much leaves us in a bad spot, doesn’t it?

Well, not exactly. You see, though God is just, He is also compassionate. He knew we couldn’t afford the price of our sins. If we paid it, we’d be dead – forever separated from God. But there was one who could pay that price – His son Jesus Christ.

Jesus died to take the punishment for our sins, and then He conquered sin and death by rising again on the third day. Price paid. Now He offers us eternal life as a free gift. Remember Romans 6:23? Well, the entire verse says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Free. No strings. We don’t deserve it, and there is nothing we can do to earn it.

All we have to do is believe. Oh, I’m not talking about the kind of belief that takes place after you’ve read a history book. Sure, you may believe Jesus did those things in your head. But the kind of belief I’m talking about is a total trust.

It’s kind of like my dining room chairs. I believe they will hold me up. But I’m not currently sitting in them. So, are they holding me up?

No.

The kind of belief God wants us to have in Him is a total trust. He wants us to place our entire lives in His hands, and let Him hold us up.

So, we have to admit we are sinners. We have to believe – totally trust – that Jesus is God’s Son and that He paid the price for our sins – a price we could never pay for ourselves. And we must accept the free gift of salvation and eternal life He holds out to us.

Then, we must commit our lives to Him. Oh, we don’t have to work to earn our salvation – that’s free. But honestly, when we really understand that God loved us that much, when we really comprehend the sacrifice that was made on our behalf, it changes us. In light of the price that was paid for us, we will want to live the rest of our lives as a thank you to Him.

I’m ready, friends. Are you? If you aren’t, you can say this prayer, or one like it. Believe it in Your heart. He will listen. And believe me, He will rejoice. He has been waiting and watching for you – He loves you that much.

Dear Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner, and that You sent Your Son Jesus to take the punishment for my sin. He paid the price I could never pay, so that I could have a right relationship with You. Please forgive me for my sins. I want to trust You alone and follow You the rest of my days.

Amen