Are you ready for Jesus’ return? Are you born again, have been baptized and involved in ministry? I hope you say yes to all three, otherwise you run the chance of being turned away at the pearly gates of heaven.
Over the past few weeks, we have covered the help topic learning how, when and who to help in the name of Jesus Christ. This week, I wanted to share parables and scripture from the book of Matthew which clearly state that believing in God will not be enough. First, the parable of the ten virgins:
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:1-13)
All ten virgins believed in their masters however, only five of them were prepared, planning ahead as we are all commanded to do. Anyone looking for a free ticket or an easy way into the kingdom of God is in great danger of ending up in the fiery furnace.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” (Matthew 7:13)
Again in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus shares a parable promising eternal life to those who believe and live their lives accordingly. On the other hand, Christ also promises eternal doom for those who enter by the wide gate.
“When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)
Take a good look at your life and all that surrounds you. How do you spend your free time, what are your hobbies, whom do you share your life with, and more importantly, what are you doing to prepare for the Lord’s return?
If you are not yet part of His body, you must repent of your sins, pray the sinner’s prayer and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior. Then comes the hard part. You must live as Jesus Christ did and walk in His footsteps, helping those in need. Your life must become a refection of your faith. Only then will you be prepared for Christ’s return and only then will He tell you: “Well done my faithful servant. I have a place for you in my kingdom”. Let’s pray!
Father God;
We thank you for all that surrounds us and for your love.
We ask that you keep us from Evil and watch over us
And that you inspire us to keep walking in your footsteps
Living righteous lives enriching those around us.
Lord we pray you will inspire all of us
To seek your word, to learn your ways
And through faith obey your commands.
God we ask that you forgive our sins
And cleanse us of Evil like only you can,
So that we may rejoice in your ever loving grace
As we ascend to eternal living in your kingdom.
Thank you all mighty God for all that you’ve given us!
Praise God,
Amen!
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com
