Since the sermon last Sunday evening, entitled “Maranatha Minded”, I’ve heard a lot of comments related to our Lord’s return. Some are talking about putting it on caps, shirts, and plaques. The message ended with me asking “Would you be ready if Jesus came today? Are you rapture ready?”. That question can be applied to the saved and the unsaved. There are some who are ready in the sense that they have trusted Christ as their Lord and Savior, but not ready in regards to their fellowship with the Lord. Their behavior is such that His appearing will be their embarrassment because they are well aware of sin in their lives. Let me illustrate.
When I was about 13 or 14 I was playing ball on the school yard with the guys in our neighborhood. During the course of the game I got into an argument with my best friend and threw his ball, the only one we had, on top of the school building. It was game over, but battle begun. He ran up, got in my face, and started calling me names, one of which no kid in that day would tolerate. When I told him to take it back or I would #*&%*@%^ he repeated it and slapped me. I had a bat in my hand and before I even thought I whacked him up-side his head with it. The blood flew and he fell. Some of the guys dragged him over under a shade tree, and there he lay moaning, groaning and bleeding. Within a matter of minutes someone ran to a house and called his dad. I went home and told mom what happened and she called dad who was at work.As soon as they could get there they loaded him in the car and took him to the hospital. Now to the point. I loved my dad and normally was thrilled to see him coming, but I didn’t “love his appearing” then. I knew I was in big trouble and was embarrassed to think of what I just did to my best friend.
Even so, there are many who know the Lord will return, and love the thought, but they are living in such a way that it would be an embarrassment if the Lord came before they made things right. Although I had a terrible temper back then and fought often, it was not like me to hit my best friend–especially with a bat. I had not planned to do it, I just reacted without thinking. Even so many true believers are acting out-of-character, doing things that are wrong, and if the Lord came they would find the blessed hope to be humiliating experience. It would be much better if He finds us faithful when He comes. How would it be with you were He to come at this moment? Would the Lord find you faithful and watching? Think about it!
