Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived.” Matthew 25:10

I remember the days when I would go to church, maybe one of those old school Churches of God, and feel like God was going to come back before the end of the service. I remember how much panic it created within my heart because I knew I wasn’t ready. So, I would do all the “quick fixes” I knew to do. I would go down to the altar and start afresh. I always left feeling better, but usually the feeling would only last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Deep down, I was always hoping He wouldn’t come, because I knew I was foolish. I wanted the world AND I wanted to be right with God, and even then I knew that you couldn’t serve two masters.

I realize now that God usually doesn’t do anything quickly. Lest we forget, He has been “coming quickly” for about 1,943 years (if Revelation was written in the year 70). Every generation has had believers who thought He would come in their own lifetime. I am no exception…I believe He will come in mine. A relationship with Him is a slow, on-going process. This life that I have is all about becoming more and more like Him until the day that I either draw my last breath here on Earth, or He comes back for me…just as He promises.

Now, I really believe I have a message today for believers who have called themselves Christians for a long time. I have called myself a Christian for 20 years now.  I have come so far on my Christian journey, but I realize that I have a lot further to go.  I have been married to my wife for 11 years.  I was watching our wedding video just the other day and I could not help but notice the absolute beauty of my bride.  I’m not talking about just physical beauty, though she certainly had that going on.  I’m talking about spiritual beauty.  It was like I could see into her heart and as we went through our ceremony, she was soaking in not just our wedding, but God.  She was experiencing Him on a different level than I was.  I was still immature spiritually, though I didn‘t know it at the time.  One day, we will renew our vows and I will get to experience what she did because I will be properly prepared.

So, what is the point of all this?  My bride was absolutely prepared for me.  The church is the bride of Christ.  If you actually take the time to read these WMDs you are more than likely a part of the bride.  More than likely, you have had that moment when you asked the Lord into your heart, received His forgiveness for your sin and began to walk with Him.  But, here is the question of all questions:  If He were to return at this very moment…are you ready?  I don’t just mean “have you said the prayer?“  A bride doesn’t just go into a wedding with her hair fixed just any old way, or wearing just any old clothes, she goes in gloriously prepared.  In the same way, you and I need to be “dolled up” spiritually.  I want to be as clean as I possibly can when my Lord comes to take me as His bride.  Let’s you and I clothe ourselves in the righteousness that can only be given by Christ Himself.  Let’s be faithful in filling our lamps with oil by studying the Word, hanging out with other believers, and honoring Him with our everyday lives so that non-believers may see and believe.  May our hearts be on fire for Him on that glorious day when He appears.  May we be found beautiful.

When He arrives, let’s be ready!

Later

Adam