ARE YOU READY? PART TWO

(Post by: Scott Hobbs)

The question we ended our last visit with was “Are you ready?” 

Are you ready to head off into eternity should that moment come for you today?  Just in case you are wondering, if you believe scripture, it is a 100% certainty that this short, earthly life will end for each of us.  We will all make the transition into eternity.  Which eternal destination is up to you.  I strongly recommend the Jesus route.

But this is what has been rolling around of late in my, saved by a miracle, head.  Assuming we are ready for eternity because we have followed Jesus, He has saved us from our sin, and we have the confidence of Heaven; then there is a second question to ponder.  Are we ready to live like we have made that decision?  

Whether you ever have that close call that reminds you of how quickly this earthly life can be ended; or go through a long health battle with an ugly disease; or you just deal with the trials our fallen world brings; you must be ready to live for Jesus if you have accepted Him as savior.

I think too often in Christendom we just want our get out of jail free card.  Our salvation card if you will.  We think we can say, “Sure.  I’m ready if I get hit by a bus tomorrow or get diagnosed with cancer.  But until then, I will just keep my free pass tucked away and live like I want to live.”  Can I just tell you; that is not how it works.  How do I know?  Check out these verses.

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive our demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evil doers!’

Luke 6:46, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?”  

The older I get, and the more experiences I have with Jesus, the more I think that He was pretty serious in these verses.  We are not called to just accept this free gift of salvation and then go on living like Hell, the world, our unsaved friends; whatever thought the Holy Spirit just put in your mind.  

This Jesus thing should change us.

It shouldn’t take getting your head almost smashed to put you on the right track; however it often helps.  When we give our lives to Jesus it’s not just so we can say we are ready if that happens, but it’s suppose to be all in, life change.  Now you’re wondering what does that look like.  Here are some thoughts:

• Treat your waitress poorly because she forgot your refill?  

NO; ask if you can pray for her, tip her well, look totally different than 90% of her customers.

• Run up behind the dude that pulled out in front of you and act like a fool when he looks in his mirror?

NO; just slow down and assume he didn’t see you or is going to pick up his sick kid at school.

• Get mad at my spouse for not doing all the things I think he or she should know I want them to do after all these years.  

NO; love them like Jesus tells me to and like He loves me and you.  Bless them every chance you get and deal with all our own selfish issues.

• Quit your job and be a missionary?  

NO (unless you’re sure God tells you to); you have to be a missionary at the job God has already given you.  Pray for your co-worker, right there at the machine or your desk, when he tells you his kid is sick.

Are you with me yet?  Most of this stuff is hard and completely counter-cultural.  That’s why it matters so much.  God lays it all out for us in this guidebook for life He calls the Bible.  Once we accept Jesus as our savior it should be our life goal to live for Him in recognition and praise for what He has done for us.  Not because He makes us like some dictator from above; but because our hearts are now turned to Him and we just can’t help it.  Praise Jesus!!!

So, I’m praying you have said yes to the first question, to Jesus, and are ready to meet Him; whatever the timing or circumstance.  And if you have, that leads us back to our second question. 

Are you ready to live for Him?

SO, WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE?

= What are you going to do differently?