Whatcha Gonna Do ?
God reminded us Sunday, in our small group gathering, that no one knows the hour of Jesus’ return…not even Jesus. “Only the Father knows” ( Matthew 24:36 )…therefore, we should follow His directives when he says to “ humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time…casting ALL your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.” He also reminds us ( warns us ) to “be self controlled and alert, because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour…to RESIST him, standing firm in the faith…” ( 1 Peter 5:6-9 ). And of course, similar Scripture points to “being ready”, “being alert” for Jesus’ return ,in ( Revelation 16:15; Matthew 24:43; and 1 Thessalonians 5:2 ). My question to you today is, what will you be doing or concerned with when He does come back ? I can hear a resounding response…” Just going on with life.” Ok … i get that … but think about it in this perspective … Someone in your homeowner’s association posts a sign at your entry gate: “Be aware ! Be advised ! Prowler has been spotted on security cameras trying to break in houses in our area.” So what are your plans ? You gonna leave your doors unlocked, the key easily accessible and a garage door, up ? You gonna say anything to your young child that stays by themself…warn em not to go outside for any reason or answer the door, no matter who’s ringin the bell ? Are you gonna make sure the gun is loaded and not buried under a buncha shoes and comforters ? How are you at patrolling the perimeter ? Or are you depending on your crazy neighbor to watch their place AND yours ? When things get sketchy, the weather turns ugly, the news warns of a jail escapee, we haveta make a delivery in a crime-infested neighborhood, the solid red flags are flying at the beach, the threat of divorce or being laid off looms in our near futures, seeing signs warning of road closures due to construction, that yellow light’s about to change to red, hearing a first-responder siren, etc; etc; etc; we’ll take the necessary precautions or be on high alert. But when it comes to our eternal future, what precautionary measures do we take to guard or secure our welfare and that of our loved ones ? If Jesus sent you a warning on social media, what would your response be ? Would you go purchase some big-ticket item because you knew you wouldn’t haveta pay it off ? Would you wanna get one more round of golf in, play one more ballgame, take that time off that you always put off, place one more bet, go on one more hunt, drink one more drink, post one more post, cast that line once more, tow the camper to that spot you always dreamed of goin…? See ? We tend to focus on everything else and ignore the most important things that will secure our “eternal inheritance”! Have we placed our faith in Christ and Christ alone ? Is our actions and words, as well as the things we watch and listen to reflecting our respect for God and His directives ? Are we actively producing the fruit of righteousness … or the fruit of “self-righteousness” ( Galatians 5:19-23 )? When you walk off from a conversation with someone, can they make an accurate determination about your allegiance to Jesus Christ … or not ? Do you really “know” God, because you’re making His Word a vital part of your day … or is that small screen seeing your face way more ? What’s your “giving” look like ? Do you consider that paycheck “yours”, to do with as you want, and never tithe as God instructed … or, have you heard His directive and promise in Malachi 3:10 and trusted Him not only to supply you with an income, but also with the portion you obediently place back into His storehouse ? Are you robbing yourself by robbing God ? Are you living an example of Jesus…emulating His love to those He places in your circle of influence ? Are you making sure your spouse and kids know Jesus personally…that their own salvation is secured and that they aren’t compromising their beliefs…or, are you leaving it up to “them” which way they go and who they’re gonna let teach em “the ways of this world” ? Wouldn’t you fight off the kidnapper ? Wouldn’t you protect em if a tornado or hurricane was imminent ? Would you leave their window wide open under the threat of someone lurking at night ? Do you trust just anybody to keep your kids, drive your car, escort your spouse or deposit your check ?!? It’s time to WAKE UP people !! Being “proactive” in our relationship with God ain’t gon’ take care of itself or be automatic ! Yeah…every knee’s gonna bow and every tongue’s gonna confess Jesus is Lord ( Philippians 2:10-11 )…but that ain’t sayin they’re all gonna be saved ! Lip-service ain’t never kept folks outta Hell and it never will ( Matthew 15:8-9 ) ! Folks better start taking an active role in seeing their households are not only saved by Christ, but that they’re walking “in Christ” and pursuing Christ’s righteousness with every fiber of their being. “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” ( Philippians 2:12 ) wasn’t breathed out by God as a suggestion !