What Does The Bible Say About Being Prepared?
Being prepared is an important theme in the Bible. God wants His followers to be ready for His return and to live lives that honor Him while waiting patiently. This article will examine key Bible verses about being prepared and extract principles on how believers can apply them today.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The Bible encourages believers to be prepared spiritually, morally, and physically for Jesus’ return and God’s plans. Key ways to be prepared include pursuing holiness, staying alert, relying on God’s strength, and storing resources wisely.
Be Ready for Christ’s Return
Watch and Be Alert
The Bible tells us that we must be prepared for the return of Jesus Christ, as He will come again unexpectedly (Matthew 24:44). As followers of Christ, we must dedicate ourselves to His teachings and stay alert, keeping watch for His second coming (Luke 21:36).
This involves maintaining a close relationship with God through prayer, studying the Bible, and living by faith.
We can prepare our hearts by examining our lives and repenting of any sins, so that we live holy and righteous lives. The time we have here on earth is an opportunity to grow spiritually and bring others to salvation. We must make the most of our time by avoiding worldly indulgences and distractions.
Staying focused on eternity will keep us ready.
Live Holy Lives
As Christians awaiting Christ’s return, we are called to live holy and virtuous lives that bring glory to God. We must model His love, grace, and righteousness in our conduct, speech, and relationships. This involves regular self-reflection and repentance of any wickedness in our hearts.
We can actively pursue holiness by reading the Bible, which contains God’s instructions for righteous living. Good deeds, compassionate service to others, forgiveness, honesty, and moral purity please the Lord.
Making worship, prayer, and fellowship with other believers a priority will help us progress in sanctification.
Living a holy life also means fleeing from evil influences and removing stumbling blocks. We must be in the world but not of the world. Though we are all still sinners, we should strive to honor God’s standards in anticipation of Christ’s return.
Build Your Faith in Christ
Maintaining strong faith in Jesus is key to being prepared for His return. This involves trusting completely in Christ’s promises, His sacrifice for our sins, and His offer of eternal life to those who believe in Him.
We can build our faith by reading the Bible and seeing how God was faithful to His people throughout history.
Building faith also means developing our personal relationship with God. Through prayer, we can draw nearer to Him. Partaking in the Lord’s Supper reminds us of Christ’s body and blood given for us. Fellowship with other believers provides encouragement and accountability in the faith.
Serving God and sharing our faith story with others also strengthens our trust in Jesus.
As our faith in Christ grows, we gain spiritual maturity and discernment to withstand doubts and persecutions. We can have confidence that no matter when Jesus returns, we will be counted among those who are ready to meet Him face to face.
Use Resources Wisely
Avoid Waste and Extravagance
The Bible encourages us to use resources wisely and avoid waste and extravagance (Proverbs 21:20). As God’s stewards, we should manage money and possessions in a responsible manner (Luke 16:10-11). Rather than living materialistic lifestyles focused on accumulation, we can live simply, generously, and within our means (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:6-10).
Care for the Needy
Scripture instructs us to care for the poor and needy among us (Proverbs 14:31; Matthew 25:31-46). As we budget and spend wisely, we can set aside funds to assist disadvantaged people. We are called to share food, clothing, and resources with the less fortunate (Isaiah 58:7; Luke 3:11; 1 John 3:17).
Caring for others reflects God’s generous provision for us.
Store Necessities
The Bible encourages preparing for future needs while avoiding unnecessary accumulation (Proverbs 6:6-8; 21:20). Storing basic provisions enables us to help others in emergencies (Genesis 41). However, stockpiling goods out of fear or greed is discouraged (Luke 12:16-21).
With wisdom and moderation, we can balance prudent saving with generous living.
Trust in God’s Strength
Pray Continually
The Bible encourages believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means nurturing an ongoing conversation with God throughout our daily lives. As we bring our needs, cares and concerns to God in prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on His strength rather than our own.
Consistently praying also helps transform our minds and shape our character to become more like Christ (GotQuestions.org).
Rely on the Holy Spirit
Jesus promised His followers that after He left, God would send the Holy Spirit to help, teach, guide and empower believers to live godly lives (John 14:15-18). As we yield control to the Spirit working within us, He produces spiritual fruit like “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” (Galatians 5:22).
This gives concrete evidence that we are tapping into God’s strength.
Persevere Through Trials
Challenging circumstances will inevitably come, but God promises to help us endure and mature in faith. The Bible says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-4).
As we lean into God during difficulties, He refines our character to make us more like Christ (Romans 5:3-5). Over 80% of practicing Christians in the U.S. agree that hardships have strengthened their faith (Pew Research Center).
Conclusion
The Bible has much to say about being prepared for God’s purposes. By pursuing holiness, staying alert, using resources wisely, and relying on God’s strength, believers can live in readiness for Christ’s return.
Most importantly, they must build their faith in Jesus and trust the salvation He provides. Though we do not know when Jesus will come back, we can be sure that He will fulfill God’s plans. So we must actively watch and prepare ourselves however He leads, so that we will be ready.
