WHAT DO WE DO WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE
RETURN OF CHRIST?!
As we look and see ALL the
things that are happening in the world today…It’s evident that we’re living in
the last days and that we are the generation that will see the soon return of
Christ. Jesus has already told us in the Holy Scriptures what to look out for (“The Signs” that He would give to us-See
Matthew Ch. 24, Luke 21:5-36) that would indicate His return back to the
earth. As soon as we see all those things that Jesus spoke about happening in
the world…We are told by Christ to “Look up, because our redemption is drawing near.”
(Matthew 24:33, Luke 21:28-31) Friends, we MUST always be READY because we
NEVER KNOW when the Trumpet call of GOD will sound. (Matthew 24:31, 42, Luke 21:36, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
"WHAT DO WE DO
WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE RETURN OF CHRIST?!"
Let’s see what the BIBLE says
on what we should be doing as followers of Christ while we wait for “OUR BLESSED HOPE” …
Paul tells us: “…TO SAY "NO" to ungodliness
and worldly passions, and to LIVE self-controlled, upright and GODLY LIVES in
this present age, WHILE WE WAIT FOR THE BLESSED HOPE—THE APPEARING of the glory
of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us
from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,
EAGER TO DO WHAT IS GOOD.” (Titus
2:12-14)
Peter says this to us: “But the day of the Lord will come
like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be
destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, “WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE OUGHT YOU
TO BE? You ought to LIVE HOLY AND GODLY LIVES as you look forward to the day of
God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the
heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with
his promise we are looking forward to A NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH, where
righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to
this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him… “Therefore,
dear friends, SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN FOREWARNED, be on your guard so that you may
not be carried away by the error of the lawless and FALL from your secure
position. BUT GROW in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”~ (2 Peter 3:10-14,
17-18)
Note: We who have been saved by His GRACE MUST
turn away from wickedness and “LIVE self-controlled, upright and GODLY LIVES
in this present age…” (Titus 2:12), while we wait for the Lord’s return. We
are NOT to be enticed by worldly passions or have anything to do with things
that are sinful. The BIBLE says: "Everyone who confesses the name of the
Lord MUST turn
away from wickedness."~
(2 Timothy 2:19)
If we DO NOT heed the Bible warnings to stay away from sinful desires and
we continue in our sins even though the Bible teaches us to stay away from them…Then
we cannot be too surprised when the Lord tells us “Depart from me you evil doers” instead of hearing “Welcome to my Fathers kingdom.” (Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 25:34, 41)
Obedience to the Lord’s commands is a MUST for ALL of us who call on the name
of the Lord. Jesus says: "If you
love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15, 21, 23-24, Ch. 15:10, 14)
There’s no half
stepping when it comes to obeying the Lord and His commandments...We have to
continue, to daily strive for godly and holy living, it must be a constant
devotion and commitment on our part…If Heaven is the place where we want to spend
eternity.
The Apostle John tells us
this:
“This is how we know that we love the children of
God: BY LOVING GOD AND CARRYING OUT HIS COMMANDS. In fact, this is love for
God: TO KEEP his commands. And his commands ARE NOT burdensome…” (1 John
5:2-4)
Note: We are told over and over again through out The Holy Scriptures to obey
the Lord and to carry out His commands. Jesus has to take supremacy in our
everyday life in order for us to have success in living the “Christ-like” life.
(1 John 2:6) Jesus tells us that “Apart from Him we can do NOTHING.” (John 15:5) Spend time with Him daily in prayer and Bible studies/reading…Jesus
will empower you to live the godly and holy life, if you just seek Him daily.
Ask the Lord to help you and to teach you to live for Him. (Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:7-11, James 4:2)
DO NOT put yourself in any situation where you know
you’re going to fail God… “Do not be
misled: "BAD company CORRUPTS good character." (1 Corinthians
15:33) Take an inventory in your life and get rid of everything
that hinders your walk with the Lord… “LET
US THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS AND THE SIN THAT SO EASILY ENTANGLES. And
let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, FIXING OUR EYES ON
JESUS, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2, James
1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Colossians 3:8-10, Matthew 13:41-42, Ephesians
4:31-32, Ephesians 5:1-10, Galatians 5:13-26,) Remember friends… “Without holiness NO ONE will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
The Bible Says: “We know that ANYONE BORN OF GOD DOES
NOT CONTINUE TO SIN; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil
one cannot harm them.” (1 John
5:18) If we truly have been born again- According to the Bible we would NOT
be (Purposefully and willfully)
sinning… “NO ONE WHO LIVES IN HIM
(Jesus Christ) KEEPS ON SINNING. NO ONE WHO CONTINUES TO SIN HAS EITHER SEEN HIM
OR KNOWN HIM.” (1 John 3:6)
Note: If
you have been unfaithful to the Lord…Now is the time to repent of your sins and
confess them to Him… “If we confess our sins,
HE is faithful and just and will FORGIVE us our sins and purify us from ALL
unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Jesus is returning soon…NOTHING in this world is worth losing your salvation!
As we wait for the soon
return of Christ we must also be watching and praying 24/7, just as the “wise virgins” in Matthew
25:10 were- “…Make
every effort to be FOUND SPOTLESS, BLAMELESS and at peace with Him.” (2 Peter 3:14)
Jesus says: “SO YOU ALSO MUST BE READY, because the Son of Man will come
at an hour when YOU DO NOT EXPECT HIM”
(Matthew
24:44, Luke 12:40) Friends, keep on "Watching & Praying"…Because the King of Glory will soon appear.
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my
presence, but now much more in my absence—CONTINUE TO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION
WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in
order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)
GOD BLESS YOU ALL NOW & ALWAYS
YOUR FRIEND,
VICKY RIVERA
