“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 24:21
Readiness for Christ’s coming begins with a disposition of heart and mind, a commitment of soul, spirit and body to Christ as Lord. This is born out by Jesus’ words in a parable, where a master addresses his servant to whom he had committed His goods, or possessions, to be used for an intended purpose. He described this servant as being “good.” This goodness speaks not only of standing that one has before God, being justified, and declared righteous, but one who has been born of the “good,” Holy Spirit of God. In other words, the goodness of God’s presence and Life dwelling in him by faith, is the very basis and fountain for the hope and the realization of true faithfulness, and fruitfulness which would follow. So essential is this “goodness” that when Moses asked to see the glory of God, the Lord responded by saying that He would make all of his “goodness” pass before him. That which is acceptable to God is only that which God creates, provides, and manifests of Himself and His works. This is why the Lord Jesus, in speaking to His disciples concerning abiding in Him, would reveal to them the absolute necessity of doing so because, “…without Me ye can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5) If a man would be a good servant of Christ, he must first have Christ, who IS his goodness, dwelling in his heart, working in and through his life. It is only out of a life of abiding in Christ, walking by the Spirit, following Christ according to the revealed will of God, that an individual’s works are acceptable before God, and there being the certainty of reward.
The second characteristic of the believer who is living in the expectation of Christ’s return, is the attitude that he possesses of being a servant. He has already seen and discovered that all that he has, and is, by the grace of God, has come from God. Every resource, capacity, and enabling power is of God, and this for His glory. That blessed capacity to not only be ready for Christ’s return, but to be wholly engaged in Christ’s work on earth, is made possible by receiving from God, with clean hands and a pure heart, all that is in Christ to do such. Therefore, the individual who has been born again into the family of God, having become a child of God, also embraces the attitude of a servant. This was the pattern that the Lord Jesus gave to all of His disciples, first in declaring that He came not into this world to be ministered to, but to minister, or serve, giving His life as a ransom for many. Paul puts it like this: “(Jesus Christ)…made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” (Phil. 2:7) Christ deliberately took upon Himself the form, disposition, and manner of a servant, first to His Father, but also to all men, that He might save them. He did this also as a pattern, so that we would follow in His steps. Paul wrote clearly concerning this: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2:1)
Out of the good heart of the saved believer, possessing the attitude of a servant, is born an attitude of responsibility and expectancy. Having surrendered his life to Christ, to live for and by Him, the believer is convinced of the reality that he has a calling, a purpose which God will reveal, and for which God has prepared and equipped him. God has prepared for him works to be accomplished for “such a time as this.” Christ’s appeal to the believer’s heart has been decisively embraced. Now, with the knowledge that his master will return, he lives in assured readiness of that moment, faithfully serving, and looking heavenward.
Dear Father, Fill us with expectation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.