Key Text: 1 John 3:3 KJV - And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

After you have been saved by grace through faith, you must continually prepare for the coming of the Lord, otherwise you cannot make it to heaven. The five foolish virgins did not realise that they did not have enough oil until their lamps went out while waiting for the bridegroom. They were not checking continually to see if they needed to top up. Watch and pray without ceasing as you prepare for the imminent return of the Lord.

You may say, it is God that purifies. Yes, but He purifies only those who submit or set themselves apart for purification. They do so by learning from the grace of God and choosing to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. As a free moral agent, the Lord will not force you to prepare for the Rapture.

Meditate on the following commandments from the word of God: "purify your hearts" - James 4:8, "keep yourselves" - Jude 21, "be ye holy" - 1 Peter 1:16, and "be ye therefore perfect" - Matthew 5:48. When you obey Him, and separate yourself from the world, the Lord will sanctify you in preparation for His coming. It is your responsibility to eschew evil, by abstaining from all appearance of it.

Prayer: O Lord, help me to be watchful and prayerful as I prepare for your coming, in Jesus name. Amen.

Reflection: Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen - 1 John 5:21.