Jesus also recognized the need to prepare His disciples for what was coming as they would be His messengers in the midst of it all. We find words of warning in Luke’s Gospel, a message shared shortly before He did the work of salvation — “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (21:34-36)
These are timeless words that we need to heed today. We need to do so to prepare ourselves, and others — for what is coming. Our words of warning are not to instill fear, but rather, to inspire faith — since we all will “stand before the Son of Man.” We need to be mindful that the Holy Spirit does the inner work.
Like those first disciples, ours is to be a message of hope. The work of Christ has secured the gift of salvation for all believers. Our emphasis is on the ultimate triumph gained through Christ for all the faithful!
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