Be ready for Jesus' coming

There are fewer than 14 shopping days left before Christmas! Are you ready?

I am — that is, if a replacement present arrives in time. You see, I had my wife’s present delivered well ahead of time, but it was delivered to our house (along with several packages she’d ordered) instead of my office, which was the address on the label with my name on it and she opened it accidentally. That was nobody’s fault but the delivery service’s, as my wife would never want to spoil Christmas surprises.

Still, I felt I needed to get her another gift, and my wife still gets to benefit from the original present. I guess she’s worth it. Anyway, I have to lay out more money right now when there’s a greater demand on the finances because my wife is getting me a more expensive gift.

Without being Grinchy, I have been and will continue milking this situation for all I can get out of it, including using it as the basis for a couple of points in this article, with my wife’s permission, of course.

First, although time is short for Christmas shopping, we know when Christmas comes each year. I keep my ear to the ground year-round for gift ideas and purchase well in advance so I’ll be ready and I don’t have such a huge demand on funds at Christmastime. We know Jesus came, whether or not it was at or about Christmastime, and that he’s coming back sometime to bring judgment and salvation (Hebrews 9:27-28).

We also know we’ve been given everything we need for salvation and Christian living so Jesus will take us to heaven when he comes, and we’re to be ready all the time because we don’t know when he’s coming back (2 Peter 1:2-11; Matthew 24:36-41). That includes being prepared to tell others about the hope we have in this life because we know Jesus is coming back for us (1 Peter 3:15-16; John 14:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 5:1-10; 1 John 3:1-3; 5:13). This hope is based in a life of faith and obedience to the truth (1 Peter 1:22-25; Romans 1:5; 6:16; Acts 2:36-39; 5:32; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7; Romans 3:21-22).

Second, there’ll be a judgment with sentencing when Jesus comes again, because everybody has sinned, and sin’s consequences must be fulfilled (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Although sin never has been God’s fault, he took the necessary steps to pay for all the world’s sins (James 1:13-15; 1 John 2:2-6; Hebrews 2:14-18; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 6:3-11; 3:24-25). Those who’ve accepted Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for their sin before he returns will benefit from his atonement. The rest will have to pay the ultimate penalty themselves (John 5:28-29; Matthew 25:31-46; 7:21-27; Revelation 20:11-15).

There should be no concern about celebrating Jesus’ birth at any time because it’s a reminder of his atonement and that he’s coming again (Colossians 2:16-17). Are you ready for Jesus’ second coming (Romans 13:11)?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]