Articles
Am I Ready for the Return of Jesus?
Am I Ready for the Return of Jesus?
John says, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). While self- delusion is a real possibility against which we must be ever-vigilant (Matthew 7:22-23), God encourages us to inspect our own hearts. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). He wouldn’t advise this course of action if self-examination were wholly untrustworthy.
This is not an exhaustive list, but here are a few things that are true of saved people:
They Have Faith in Jesus. This isn’t a mental assent to the fact of Jesus’ existence, but a clinging to Jesus in allegiance and hope. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
They Walk Obediently and Produce Fruit. “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the one who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36). Developing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-24) is one sign that a person is living according to the Spirit of God.
They Are Growing Daily. If qualities such as knowledge and kindness and self-control “are yours and are increasing,” entrance into Jesus’ kingdom is “abundantly supplied” (2 Peter 1:5-11). Worship and study help develop these qualities.
They Support the Church Family. “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers” (1 John 3:14). Saved people flock together and prefer one another’s company. They sacrifice for one another like Jesus did.
They Use the Right Standard of Measure. There will be many who are lost because they did not obey. But there will be others who are lost because they are obedient to something other than the revealed word of God. One avoids the shock of Matt. 7:23 by hearing and acting upon “these words of Mine” (Matt. 7:24), not the words of the media, the culture, friends, the preacher, or a creed book. --John Guzzetta
