Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, social unrest, wars and rumors of wars. Are the end times upon us? How much longer do we have? There are books, movies, TV and radio preachers and programs, Websites and more that for just a small donation will give you the (their) answer. So, what the heck I may as well jump into the game too. Except I will give you the one true and definite answer. For free.
The Apostle Paul writes
“2 Corinthians 5:8
8 we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
American Standard Version (ASV)
The moment you die is when Jesus returns for you.
For some Jesus could return before you finish reading this. None of us is guaranteed the next heartbeat. So why indulge in this foolishness of trying to determine a day or hour? Or even a season or year? We are specifically told that no one knows when Jesus will return. He will come as a thief in the night.
If you knew for sure that he was returning tomorrow is there something you would change about your life today? If so change it anyway.
We are to live everyday as if it is our last day on earth because for many of us, it will be.
Throughout history we see examples of Christians who were so convinced that the return was so imminent that they stopped living for Christ daily. That is an egregious sin.
Any careful reading of scripture will reveal that Jesus and the Apostles spent much more time explaining how you live for Christ than they did discussing Heaven.
A famous and often asked question is “how then should we live?”
If you consider yourself a Christian the answer is found in scripture
Philippians 1:21
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
In the “Sermon on the Mount” detailed in The Gospel of Mathew Jesus begins his discourse with ten statements (Mat.5:3-13) that have become known as the beatitudes. Every Christian should read these very carefully as these statements describe the expected character of the Christian. The character you are expected to have and live in this world today.
Our values, morals, ethics, religion, attitudes and politics must be in line with what the Savior we profess expects our character to be. What we want to believe, or are comfortable with, or grew up believing no longer matters. When you came to the cross you gave up your pride of place and exchanged it for the Lordship of Christ. That means that you live and behave as he expects.
Christianity is hard. It is not for cowards. It is not something we wrap ourselves in to justify our politics our prejudices or favorite sins. To live is Christ. Nothing more or anything less is acceptable to the Lord.
Christianity is how we live. Every choice we make, every decision, every action every thought must be measured against the Character of Christ. “What would Jesus do” is a valid question for all professing Christians. For the Christian begging forgiveness is not better than asking permission.
The Apostle Paul writes
“2 Corinthians 5:8
8 we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord.
American Standard Version (ASV)
The moment you die is when Jesus returns for you.
For some Jesus could return before you finish reading this. None of us is guaranteed the next heartbeat. So why indulge in this foolishness of trying to determine a day or hour? Or even a season or year? We are specifically told that no one knows when Jesus will return. He will come as a thief in the night.
If you knew for sure that he was returning tomorrow is there something you would change about your life today? If so change it anyway.
We are to live everyday as if it is our last day on earth because for many of us, it will be.
Throughout history we see examples of Christians who were so convinced that the return was so imminent that they stopped living for Christ daily. That is an egregious sin.
Any careful reading of scripture will reveal that Jesus and the Apostles spent much more time explaining how you live for Christ than they did discussing Heaven.
A famous and often asked question is “how then should we live?”
If you consider yourself a Christian the answer is found in scripture
Philippians 1:21
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
In the “Sermon on the Mount” detailed in The Gospel of Mathew Jesus begins his discourse with ten statements (Mat.5:3-13) that have become known as the beatitudes. Every Christian should read these very carefully as these statements describe the expected character of the Christian. The character you are expected to have and live in this world today.
Our values, morals, ethics, religion, attitudes and politics must be in line with what the Savior we profess expects our character to be. What we want to believe, or are comfortable with, or grew up believing no longer matters. When you came to the cross you gave up your pride of place and exchanged it for the Lordship of Christ. That means that you live and behave as he expects.
Christianity is hard. It is not for cowards. It is not something we wrap ourselves in to justify our politics our prejudices or favorite sins. To live is Christ. Nothing more or anything less is acceptable to the Lord.
Christianity is how we live. Every choice we make, every decision, every action every thought must be measured against the Character of Christ. “What would Jesus do” is a valid question for all professing Christians. For the Christian begging forgiveness is not better than asking permission.
