How can we prepare spiritually to avoid judgment like in Luke 19:43? Opening the Text “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side.” (Luke 19:43) Jesus is addressing Jerusalem, foretelling the siege of A.D. 70. The judgment fell because the city “did not recognize the time of your visitation” (v. 44). To keep from a similar fate—spiritually speaking—we take the opposite path: recognize, receive, and respond to the King while there is time. Recognize the King While He Is Near • God graciously visits before He judges (Isaiah 55:6). • Rejecting that visitation brings unavoidable consequences (John 3:36). • Salvation’s open door will not stay open forever (Genesis 6:3; Revelation 3:20). Respond With Repentance and Faith • Turn: “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:3, 5) • Trust: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31) • Times of refreshing follow genuine turning (Acts 3:19). Pursue Daily Intimacy With Christ • Abide: “Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.” (John 15:4) • Hear: meet Him in the Word (Psalm 119:9-11). • Speak: maintain open, honest prayer (Philippians 4:6-7). Walk in Obedient Discipleship • Do what He says (James 1:22-25). • Keep short accounts—confess quickly when you stumble (1 John 1:9). • Bear fruit that proves repentance (Matthew 3:8). Cultivate Watchful Readiness • Live alert, not distracted (Luke 21:34-36). • Invest talents faithfully until He returns (Matthew 25:14-30). • Stay clothed in spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). Live as Ambassadors of Peace • Share the message that saves from judgment (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). • Demonstrate the gospel with tangible love (Matthew 5:16). • Pray for the lost, including enemies (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Encourage One Another in Community • Meet together, especially as “the Day” approaches (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Restore gently those who drift (Galatians 6:1-2). • Celebrate testimonies of God’s visitation to keep hope alive (Psalm 107:2). Remember His Promise of Refuge • “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9) • “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7) By recognizing the King’s visitation, responding with wholehearted repentance and faith, and walking in obedient, watchful fellowship, we prepare our hearts and lives to escape the kind of judgment Jerusalem faced—and to stand secure when He comes again. |
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