About Readiness
”And as it is appointed unto men once to die; but after this the judgment.” In other words; “Everyone must die once; and after that be judged by God.” (Heb 9:27, KJV, TEV) There are two points in this verse we must not overlook. First, death is appointed unto all men; and second; just as surely as death is appointed; judgment follows. It is a scary thing to fall into judgment by the hands of a living God! Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats at that time. Sheep will be placed on his right hand of honor; the goats on his left.
“So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith; with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. Let us hold on firmly to the hope we profess; because we can trust God to keep his promise. Let us be concerned for one another; to help one another; to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together; as some are doing. Instead; let us encourage one another all the more; since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.”
Why? “For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us. Instead; all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God! Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy; when judged guilty from the evidence of two or more witnesses. What, then, of the person who despises the Son of God? Who treats as a cheap thing the blood of God’s covenant which purified him from sin? Who insults the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse the punishment is he will deserve! For we know who said; “I will take revenge; I will repay;” who also said; “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God! (Heb 10:22-31, TEV) We must be prepared for that day!
“I do not know the day my Savior will come, but I must be prepared to go; if I am ready he will call me his own, and that’s enough for me to know.” (HFW, #653)
