Monday, December 1, 2008

Living in Light of His Coming

Peter urged the church to live in light of the coming of the Lord...

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
(2 Peter 3:9-13)

I'm not sure that many Christians today believe in the second coming of Christ. They profess it with their lips, but their actions reveal a different theology--a theology of denial. Christians live as if they will never give an account for what they have done. They live as though everything they have to look forward to is to be found in this life. Even churches are pandering to these ideas. At the heart of the health and wealth, prosperity gospel that has become so popular is the desire to make heaven on earth. Contrary to what some churches are teaching, "my best life" is in the world to come, not in the here and now.

So how should we live in light of His coming? I believe there are some common fruits of belief in the second coming that all Christians should bear.

First, we should be motivated to righteous living. Peter writes: "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness" (2 Peter 3:11). There is a direct link between faith in God and righteous living. Even atheists seem to understand this link. Currently, the British Humanist Association have launched an ad campaign on London buses that reads: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life." I find it ironic that two of the things atheists are seeking, "joy" and "life," are things which God has promised His followers. Jesus said: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). And their use of the word "probably" makes them look ridiculous. Would you not want to be certain about some as serious as eternal damnation?

Second, we should be more concerned about our treasures in heaven than about our treasure on earth. Jesus said: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt 6:19-20). If we really believe that the Lord is returning and that we will be rewarded based upon our deeds, then why would we invest all of our energy into homes and cars that will not even last our lifetime, let alone in the life to come?

Finally, we should have a passion to see others saved from the wrath of God. If we believe the gospel, then we must believe that an eternal hell is a reality, and that Jesus Christ is the only means of escape. Christians with little desire to see others saved are living with their own form of denial. Proverbs tells us: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise" (11:30).

May we each live our lives in light of His coming, so that we can say with John: "Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev 22:20)

2 comments:

*V* said...

"my best life" is in the world to come, not in the here and now...

"Come, Lord Jesus!" Thanks, this helps me see how I should live, while waiting for Jesus to come :)

Anonymous said...

pretty cool stuff here thank you!!!!!!!

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