Securing our homes is a necessity in a world where thieves can prey on us. It is daring imagery the Bible uses when the Lord is likened to a thief, not in that He will steal from us, but in that He will surprise us by His return. Our lives are pictured by being likened to a house. When the Lord returns, we need to have evidence that we have guarded valuable things. These would include Christian character, a testimony of the Lord's grace, the knowledge of God, holiness, fruitfulness and a desire from greater assurance. We can be very negligent in preserving these and run the risk that when the Lord returns, it will be discovered that the real theft has already occurred as the enemy of souls has plundered us. The prospect of some Immediate gain may have made us part with a good conscience. We may have been distracted and surrendered part of our testimony of the Lord's goodness. There is a requirement that we be vigilant. We need to put great value on our spiritual possessions, watch for weak points in our defences, and guard our lives through prayer and being people of the Word.
Finally, the concluding part of Matthew 24 talks of a household with different responsibilities. It is an apt picture of the church keeping to its task while it awaits the return of the Lord. It is good for us if we are found to be a church that prays, preaches, serves, worships, aims at holiness, reads Scripture, and displays unity. |
