Ready or not...

Matthew 24. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

We aren't always attentive to the promise of the Savior to return. He says that he will and, by faith, we take him at his word. But what does this word emphasize for us? It tells us that we should be living in a state of readiness.

When I talk to Christians I am bothered by the shear ignorance that many of them express at what God is doing in the world- especially in their world. With a shrug of the shoulders or a roll of the eyes or, sometimes a deep sigh, they confess that they are not quite sure "what in the world is going on". This spiritual lethargy and apathy is dangerous because it lulls us to sleep and allows us to fall out of a state of readiness.

Jesus commands, " ..you must be ready". But so many are not! They are not aware that the enemy of their soul is out to destroy them. They are surprised when a "strong christian" falls into sin or sins notoriously. And they are surprised when they face spiritual resistance.

Christians must live with a heightened state of alertness. The condition is certainly red! What the devil has in store for me and for you dwarfs the 9/11 attacks. His purpose is to undo the church of the living God. And, he will succeed- at least with some (Mt 24.12). Those who want to withstand the attacks will have to alter their lifestyle and live in a heightened state of readiness. It may not be comfortable but it will be obedient to the command of a savior who wants us to live victoriously.

Be Ready!