Articles

"Doesn't getting ready imply that Jesus' work on the cross was insufficient?"

Christ's work was enough to secure the believer's salvation forever. When Jesus told His disciples to be ready, He didn't mean to teach that good works were necessary for salvation. Our works cannot improve on God's perfect plan of salvation!

Those who are unready will not lose their salvation. They will lose their reward. The Lord Jesus is coming to reward His servants. Which of the following were prepared for the return of his master?

He also who had received two talents came and said, "Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them." His lord said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord."

Then he who had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours."

But his lord answered and said to him, "You wicked and lazy servant . . . you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. (Matt. 25:22-28)

The servant who was well commended was ready for the day of evaluation. His labor while the master was gone was calculated to win the honor of his master. He prepared himself to give what his master expected of him.

The disapproved servant took no thought to prepare for that fateful day. He did not meet the master's expectation of a good servant. His goods were taken away and given to him who earned it.

This teaches us to live responsibly, not carelessly, with the grace He has provided. We are not to rest on a faith we put in the Savior some time ago but continue in faith, serving Him.