The Lord is near!

The Lord is near!

Titus 2:11-1411 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

The Lord is at hand!  Our Savior will return soon.  We do not know the day nor the hour but only know to anticipate it and to be ready.  The New Testament gives us several implications for believers now that affect the way you live.  Paul tells Titus in the passage above that in the time between now and His return we should renounce ungodliness and worldly passions.  We should live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.  He tells the Philippians to live not as citizens of the world or of whatever nation they belong to but as citizens of Heaven—Phil 3:20, and to seek to grow in holiness while doing so—1 Tim 6:14.  He uses it as a motivation for spreading the gospel—2 Tim 4:1-2, and as an encouragement to be patient—1 Thess 1:10.

Peter, likewise, tells us that because the Lord is returning at any time that we should be ready and seek to grow in holiness—2 Pet 3:11.  As we grow in holiness we should patiently endure suffering and hardships—1 Pet 1:6:7.  John echoes both Paul and Peter in that when Christ returns we will be like Him in glory, therefore we should purify ourselves now like Jesus is pure—1 John 3:2-3.

All of this to say, His return isn’t merely an event that will happen without implication to how we live our lives now.  He will return at any minute and we should live accordingly now.  How will He find us living when He returns.  The Lord is at hand!  Something to think about…

How will He find you living when He returns?