Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Pet. 1:13)
FIVE WERE READY. Five were not.
Jesus told a story in Matthew 25:1–13 about ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them took extra oil. The other five did not. The bridegroom was delayed, causing the virgins to use their extra oil. The five who didn’t have enough oil went to buy more and missed the bridegroom’s arrival. The five who had prepared were ready. They were invited into the marriage feast.
First Peter 1:3 instructs us to prepare our minds and be self-controlled. In other words, be ready. Like the five virgins who took action and prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival, we are to prepare for Christ’s return. Part of that preparation is having our minds focused and centered on God. We are to live in such a way that, when Christ returns, we will be ready to meet Him.
The latter part of 1 Peter 1:13 states, “Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Knowing that Jesus will return should motivate us to live in obedience to His will. The bridegroom’s unknown arrival time motivated five virgins to diligently prepare for his coming. Likewise, we should prepare for Christ’s return.
Name one thing you can do today to prepare for Christ’s return.
Sheryl Baker lives in LaPorte, Indiana, and is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoys writing devotions that bring hope and encouragement to others.
