Take Heed
We really don’t know when the Lord might come for His church. In Luke’s gospel, Jesus talked with His disciples about these events. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth” (Luke 21:34-35). Be careful you’re not trapped by the cares of this life, eating and drinking. Take heed to Jesus’ warning. He’s going to come for His church. He’s going to come for His church that is busy doing the will of the Father, but also watching and looking for Jesus. Many will be left.
As is so often the case, there’s any easy way to go, and a hard way. The easy way to go is to serve the Lord and be ready when He comes. The hard way to go is to live carelessly now. The hard way is to stop short of making a full commitment, and serve God only when it’s convenient for you. To worship only when it’s convenient. As a pastor, this attitude is of great concern to me. I see too many people who have settled for a convenient, take-it-or-leave-it relationship with the Lord. A comfort zone is a bad zone to live in, because you can comfort yourself right into complacency.
The rapture is close. Jesus has warned us to watch for Him. Will you be ready when the Lord comes for His church?
Taken from “The Final Act” by Chuck Smith pages 155-156. Used with permission.
