If you know anything about weddings, you know they are all about the bride and groom. Think about it. They are the ones who select the theme, the location, and the date and time. They don’t phone you to ask what theme you would like or what date works for you. No, what happens? You walk out to the mailbox one day and there is an invitation waiting on you telling you what the wedding be like and the date and time it will be on. You are then expected to clear your calendar and show up on that date and time.
On the day of the wedding, it doesn’t matter what is happening in your life. It doesn’t matter that you woke up late, misplaced your keys, or that your children have been running around crazy. You are still expected to be at the church on time ready for the wedding to start.
In the same way, Jesus expects us to be ready for His wedding, but instead of sending us an invitation with the date and time, He tells us that we are to always be ready.
How Can We Be Ready?
In order of us to be ready, our heart has to be changed. We have to have turned to Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Without a heart change, there is no hope for us because only a changed heart will allow us to be fully committed to Jesus.
There is no room for quasi-Christians
There is no room for those who are straddling the fence. Those who are half committed.
It is sad, but I believe that is where most of the church is at today. They are half committed fence straddlers. They turn to God only when it is convenient, when it works for them, when He’s helping them with life.
Jesus, however, is not looking for fence straddlers, those who want God on their own terms. Instead, He wants us to deal with Him on His terms. His terms is full and continued obedience and commitment to Him. If that’s not us. If we are only half committed, then we are no better than the church at Laodicea. We are lukewarm. Jesus will say and do to us exactly what He says to them.
“…because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:16).
So if you have been playing church, quit. If you aren’t fully committed, quit straddling the fence and jump all in. A half commitment is no commitment at all. We must be all in or nothing. If we aren’t, then we aren’t prepared. We aren’t ready for Jesus to come. We aren’t ready for our wedding day.
Question for Reflection
- Are you fully committed to Jesus?
Resource
Post adapted from my sermon: The Wise are Always Prepared for Jesus’ Return
Christianity Matters 