One of the greatest and most precious promises in the Word of God is the certainty of the return of the Lord Jesus for His church. Christians are expected to live a different kind of life than that of the unbeliever. Col. 3:1-2 tells us that we are to set our minds on the things that are above; that is on things that have a Heavenly perspective.
How should we live and conduct ourselves in the here and now as we wait for Jesus’ return? Every generation of Christians from the first century has had the promise of His coming. Believing that He could come at any time should motivate us to greater service for Jesus and His church.
How should we be living in anticipation of the return of the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13)? We must be found not only waiting and looking forward to His coming, but must be active and faithful in our service to Him. Paul gave us a wonderful motivation for righteous living – believers are waiting for a hope that is already a certainty.
We can look forward to Christ’s return with eager expectation. We must adhere to the words of a popular song: “We’ll Work Till Jesus Comes.” By utilizing the term “Blessed Hope” Paul brings out at least two aspects of Christian living that should be stressed today: waiting with anticipation and hoping for Christ’s glorious appearing. The waiting is good for us. It builds character, endurance, and perseverance. The hoping makes the waiting bearable.
C. S. Lewis wrote: “It is when Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they become ineffective in this one. Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in; aim at earth and you will get neither.”
Four words seem to characterize our earthly sojourn.
- Occupy. Use your talents for the Lord. I believe that every Christian has at least one talent that he or she can utilize to bring glory to God. There is room in the Kingdom for all Christians to develop and use their talents to further the work of the church.
- Purify. We must say “No!” to the world’s attractions. (1 John 2:15-17) we must practice mind renewal in a mindless society (Romans 12:1-2).
- Watch. This watching will include waiting and working. We must seek to be active in His service and not just occupy a pew. We must want to do all it takes to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Worship. Gathering around the Lord’s Table reminds us of both redemption and the return of the Lord Jesus.
Keep looking up! Jesus may come TODAY!
-Larry Miles lives in Louisville, KY and is a member of the Cherry Street Church of Christ in New Albany, IN