Preparing My Heart

This is a busy season. Everywhere I go, it seems like people are bustling around in a rush to buy presents, put up decorations, and generally prepare for their Christmas celebrations.

The bustle and rush can be overwhelming, but it can serve as an important reminder to those who slow down long enough to take notice.

You see, Christmas is the celebration of the first coming of Christ, but in the heart of the Christian, tucked away amidst the wondering awe of the manger scene is a reminder that this would not be His only coming.

While we celebrate the reality of Christ’s first coming, we must never forget that there will just as surely be a second.

Many people go to great lengths to prepare for Christmas. We shop and wrap presents, we cook and bake and clean and decorate all month long in preparation for a holiday that may only last just one day.

Why do we take all that time to prepare for something so fleeting? Because we’re excited about what it represents.

I realize that not everyone is excited for Christmas because it represents the Savior, but all that preparation comes from some sort of motivation; perhaps the love for family and friends, or the nostalgia of tradition, or the thrill of giving gifts.

My question to you today is, if you’re willing to put so much time and effort into a celebration that only lasts a short time, are you willing to put the same time and effort into preparing for Christ’s return?

The two things may not seem at first to correspond: after all, our Christmas preparations are tangible, and made towards an event that will happen on a set day, while no one knows the hour of Christ’s return, and our spiritual preparations seem less substantive. But what does the Bible say about this matter of preparing for the return of Christ?

Let’s take a look:

Gifts

“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Corinthians 1:4-8)

This passage shows us that we are not just to be passively waiting for Christ’s return, just whiling away the days and years until He appears, but that we are to be actively exercising the spiritual gifts Christ gave to be used by the church for His glory.

The church at Corinth is being commended here because the testimony of Christ was confirmed by the gifts they were using as they awaited the Lord’s return.

Witnessing and Discipling

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy.”

(1 Thessalonians 2:19)

When Christ comes, our earthly accomplishments will seem utterly worthless to us. All that will matter is the people who have been won and discipled through the Holy Spirit’s power at work in and through us.

There will be no pride in heaven, but we will rejoice over those whom God has allowed us to point to Christ for salvation or as the Source of spiritual growth.

God’s heart is people: Christmas is a grand display of this, for people are the reason for the incarnation in the first place. As we look forward to Christ’s coming, who are we bringing to Him for salvation or spiritual growth?

Sanctification

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:23)

This verse brings up another important part of preparing for the Lord’s return. As we wait, we are to be growing in Christlike character, becoming more and more like Him every day. What Christlikeness is the Holy Spirit is trying to cultivate in you today?

Saturated by the Word of God

“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-2)

This passage has to do with not being deceived by unbiblical teaching or predictions about the return of the Lord. The only way to avoid being deceived by unbiblical eschatology (teachings about end time events) is to know what the Bible says about it.

That means we need to be saturating ourselves with Scripture, so that we can stand firm upon the truth of God’s Word, rather than being blown about with every wind of doctrine. (Ephesians 4:14)

Patience

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:7-8)

Just as the farmer doesn’t toss a few seeds out and then relax on his porch till harvest, so we are to be working while we wait. We patiently tend the seeds of truth planted in our own hearts and the hearts of those around us, trusting that God’s Word indeed will not return void. (Isaiah 55:11)

How is your patience with the work of God in and through you today?

Abiding

“And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”

(1 John 2:28)

Imagine if Christ were to return right now, would you be pleased to see Him, or would you be ashamed? In John 15, Jesus invites us to,

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” (v.4)

Without Christ, we can do nothing to prepare for the Lord’s return.

The only way we can be faithful in using the gifts God has given us; winning and discipling people, growing in sanctification, saturating ourselves in Scripture, patiently looking for the Lord’s appearing, is to abide in Christ.

The only way for us to prepare properly for the Lord’s return is to dwell each moment with Him, yielding to the truths of His Word and the Holy Spirit’s promptings.

It can be easy to get our eyes off Christ during the Christmas season, but this year, let the reminder of Christ’s first coming prompt you to prepare for Christ’s second coming.

Let the sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas remind you to abide every moment with the One who came to live on earth to make a way for you to live with Him in heaven for all eternity.

“In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3)