Living for Christ’s Return

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  06/16/21

Perhaps there is no time in history when the interest in end times events has been as intense and as vast as it is today. Yet while end times conferences draw tens of thousands of people, prayer meetings draw only a small crowd each time. End times materials fly off the shelves, and yet fewer Christians are willing to witness for their faith publicly.

Throughout history, there has always been an interest in the return of the Lord—but that interest has not always been applied in the lives of believers. What would it look like if Christ’s return motivated every aspect of our lives?

Read 1 Thessalonians 1. In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he begins by commending the Thessalonians for three things: their working faith, laboring love, and enduring hope. This is a powerful picture of how the anticipation of Christ’s return should shape our attitudes and our service. Paul’s statement prompts us to ask ourselves, “Does my faith work? Does my love labor? Does my hope endure?”

Notice that these characteristics are outward, not inward. They are active, not passive. They are visible, not hidden. Faith is active toward God. Love is active toward one another. And hope is active for the future longing of the return of Christ.

Everyone who truly calls himself a believer in Christ must have a living faith in the Lord Jesus, love for God and neighbor, and hope for His return. These three characteristics are the visible evidence of practicing this kind of life not just on Sunday but every day.

Prayer: Lord, may faith, hope, and love characterize every aspect of my life as I wait upon You. I pray that Your return would motivate every aspect of my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[S]o Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28).