Are You Prepared. . .?

During these last few weeks, many tuned into the National Basketball Association’s (NBA’s) playoffs and finals. Some are now watching the summer Olympics. Regardless of the sport, all have one thing in common – – athletes who prepare for the competition.

Bodies are disciplined. Displays of strength and stamina are testaments to healthy eating, the consumption of vitamins and strenuous workouts. The answer to the question, ‘Are you prepared?’ is evident. Physical appearance and endurance, mental and emotional focus, all scream ‘Yes.’

The athlete’s preparation does not begin a year or two before his or her appearance at the competition. It starts early in life as he or she focuses upon the goal of winning the big competition. Families also join in the preparation with tremendous financial and familial sacrifices.  All are united in the belief that no sacrifice is too great to achieve the dream.

The Believer’s Destiny

In some ways, the believer is like the athlete. We too have a destiny that requires preparation. Our destiny is eternal life. But unlike the athlete, we do not have to work to achieve this destiny. In fact, no amount of work that we put forth could ever earn it for us. A sinless sacrifice was needed – – Jesus Christ.

We were sinners. And God the Father required a perfect sacrifice for us to inherit eternal life.  Romans 6:23 lays it out; ‘. . . the wages [price] of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (NLT)

Now the question is, ‘Are you prepared to enter your destiny?’ Jesus gave His life. You repented, believed, and confessed. But are you preparing to go to heaven? Sad to say, unlike the athlete, many Christians are not preparing for the final destiny. The focus of many believers is just living here on earth. There is not much thought about going to heaven and living with God eternally.

Preparing to Go to Heaven

How do we prepare? Colossians 3:1-3 (MSG) directs us. ‘So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life – even though invisible to spectators – is with Christ in God. He is your life.’

In other words . . .

• Act like you are going to heaven.
• Go after Godly things.
• Stop being absorbed with earthly problems and concerns.
• Set your eyes on Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior.
• Ask God to help you.

God Is Working for You

Is it important to prepare to go to heaven? Pastor Charles Finney addresses this question in his sermon, ‘The Death of Saints Precious.’ He states that God is preparing us to come to heaven. God is working to ensure that we will be happy when we get to heaven. Interesting! Why wouldn’t our destination be important to us if it is so important to God?

In his sermon, Pastor Finney also states that God is training us to ‘let loose [our] grasp on earthly and sensual, and selfish pleasures, and set [our] hearts supremely on the living God!’ In other words, God is teaching us and guiding us to turn from worldly pleasures and to begin to live for Him.

Take Jesus’ Advice

Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul advise the believer to prepare to go to heaven – – the Apostle Paul in Colossians Chapter 3 and Jesus in Matthew Chapter 6. Jesus confirms the need for preparation in Matthew 6:33. He tells the believer, ‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.’ (NLT)

What is Jesus saying?

• Do not make living here on earth your priority.
• God is responsible for taking care of you.
• Learn to trust God for everything that you need.
• Demonstrate the attitude and character of God in all that you do.
• Prepare to enter your destiny, eternal life.

And so, back to the initial question, ‘Are you prepared. . .?’

God Has Spoken Ministry (GHSM); Celebrating God: The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost