Casualness about spiritual life results in carelessness.
“What manner of persons ought you to be in Holy conduct and Godliness.” 2 Peter 3:11 NKJV.
My thoughts and comments today are about, “expecting His return.”
I titled my previous devotional, “The Imminent Return of Christ.” This significant Biblical theme warrants additional comment. The Bible is clear. “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 NIV.
The distracting busyness of life can diminish spiritual life now and eternal life forever. Peter predicted that, “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” 2 Peter 3:3-4 NKJV. Because Jesus has not yet come does not mean that He will not come. He will comes as He said. It is wise to be ready.
Predictably, there are two negative results to any diminished expectation of Jesus’ imminent return. Any lack of urgency or preparedness for Jesus’ return results in, (1) a carelessness about your own spiritual life, and (2) a casualness about your personal Christian witness. Writing those words stirs emotions in me that need stirring. Either, or both of those failings are destructive to spiritual life and tragic for those within your reach who are lost in their sins.
An enticement and affection for the present world will leave you unprepared for a final event that will catch most of the world unprepared. Jesus accurately described the futile mindset of those oblivious and unprepared for His return. Read Matthew 24:37-44 NKJV. Sad to say, we have allowed ourselves, and permitted those in our circle of family and friends, to become content with our pleasant lives here, with little longing for Jesus’ return. Maybe our lives have become a bit too comfortable and contented because we enjoy prosperity and ease well beyond anything our grandparents could have imagined.
A diminished desire for Heaven results in a deficiency of burden for those lost without Christ. Where would you be if no one had cared enough to tell you about Jesus and the redeeming power of His forgiveness? Someone’s eternal future may well depend on your love, witness, and prayer. In Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal son, He did not describe the wandering son as, “relocated.” Nor did Jesus reference the sheep as, “misplaced,” nor the coin as, “absent.” They were lost with no remedy for their lostness, except for the passion and persistence of the efforts of someone beyond themselves who cared more about them than they could know or care about themselves. You and I are to be God’s voice in our family, friendships, and daily associations.
The Bible has much to say about the imminent return of Jesus. Common to those references is a warning, “Concerning the times and the seasons . . you know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes like a thief in the night.” Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NKJV. That phrase, “like a thief in the night,” is a repeated description of the imminent return of our Savior and Lord. “I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for Me, who keep their robes ready so they will not need to walk naked and ashamed.” Revelation 16:15 NLT. A thief is unexpected and usually finds you unprepared. Jesus’ coming will not be expected and many will be unprepared.
In light of His coming, consider how you should live your life. “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and Godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God.” Read 2 Peter 3:3-18 NKJV. The Bible concludes with these words, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 22:20-21 NKJV.
Today, I pray for you to live with preparedness, evidencing a passion for others to know Him.
Christian Communications 2017
Website and archives: allenrandolph.com