How often do you think about Christ’s return during Christmastime? It’s not usually the first thing that comes to mind. Advent allows us to look at the manger every year and think about what it means that God became man. When He was born, angels announced this was the world’s Savior. The Messiah would die, resurrect, and ascend back into heaven. When we share the gospel, that tends to be where we stop. However, the most significant part of the story is still yet to come: He is coming back again! As Christians, we should have the same level or even greater anticipation about the second coming as the Jewish people had about His first arrival. Do you feel that building excitement when you think about Christ’s return?
As we celebrate Advent, it’s important to remember that Christ’s birth or death wasn’t the end of the story. So while we often get caught up in the consumerism and busyness of the holiday season, we must remain expectant and faithful in our anticipation of Christ’s second coming.
Abide in Him until Christ’s Return
The best way to prepare for Christ’s return is to remember that there’s still work to do. Jesus conquered sin and death in his resurrection, but he left the church to carry on his mission. We cannot get lazy or apathetic because He is coming back soon. The best way to practice this daily is to abide in Christ. 1 John 2:28 tells us, “Now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not draw back from Him in shame at His coming.” When Jesus returns, we want to be found faithful and not shrink away in shame like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden after they sinned.
Remaining in Christ means that you’re spending time to be in His presence through prayer and reading His Word every day. This isn’t always easy, but it is simple. How much conviction would you feel if Jesus returned and found you trapped in sin rather than living for Him? It’s pretty hard to be in sin and the presence of Christ simultaneously. We can easily be distracted by the things of this world and let our priorities get skewed. What will Jesus find you doing when He returns? Will you be yelling at your family, doing something shady at work, or abiding in the Word of God? The less you desire the things of the world, the more you’ll grow in your passion for Him, and the more ready you will be when He comes back and finds you faithful.
Imitate Jesus until Christ’s Return
If you’re a child of God, people should be able to look at you and see the resemblance. Do they see God’s love in you? The Bible says that the world did not recognize Christ, so they should notice that there’s something different about you too. Until His return, you should be an imitator of Christ. He set an example of how to live as He does so that you can follow His model of discipleship and holy living.
1 John 2:29 says, “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness also has been born of Him.” When we love others sacrificially and selflessly, others can experience Jesus’ love through us. Our actions can point people to Christ or leave a bad taste in their mouths. When we practice righteousness resembles the righteousness of Christ.
1 John 3:3 goes on to say, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” The world is filled with enough sin and filth that someone who is purified from those things and living in freedom piques people’s curiosities. Therefore, if we hope in Jesus and believe He is righteous, we should strive to practice righteousness and purify ourselves by following His Word. When we do this, we will not fear his return, for He will find us following His straight and narrow path. There will be no need for righteous people to cower on guilt and conviction because they are living lives of integrity and holiness as Jesus desires.
Be Transformed Until Christ’s Return
As we abide in Christ and imitate His example, we must also allow ourselves to be transformed by Him. Christ’s presence changes us. It rids us of sin, pride, and selfishness and cultivates good fruit. 1 John 3:1-2 says, “See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”
Sin can easily cloud our vision of who God truly is. People might view Him as selfish, power-hungry, or aloof. The more time you spend with Him, the more you will rightly see Him, just as He is, as John writes. This will also allow you to see yourself how He sees you. You will experience His love where there was once self-hatred, His peace where there was once anxiety, and His joy where there was once weariness.
This transformation is not immediate. It does not happen overnight or all at once. Instead, it occurs through a process of abiding and imitating. You may not even notice the transformation in your day-to-day life, but people will look at you and notice the change over time. This process of transformation starts with prayer and reading His Word. Then, remaining in Him and acting like Him go hand in hand.
Will You Remain Faithful until Christ’s Return?
Do you feel ready for Christ’s return? Faithfulness requires both desire and discipline. As you spend time with Him, God will grow your desire to be obedient. However, the discipline to live this out daily is up to you. You must order your life in a way that allows you to grow in your relationship with Christ. This means making time for prayer and Bible study every day, seeking fellowship with other believers, and living a life that is pleasing to God.
It’s also important to remember that living faithfully doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges and difficult times. Christ, Himself, faced suffering and persecution. But He remained faithful and obedient to God’s will, even unto death. We can follow His example by staying faithful and trusting in God’s plan, even when things are tough.
As we approach the end of the year and look toward the future, let’s remember to keep Christ’s return in mind. Are you living faithfully and making time for Him in your daily life? Are you imitating Jesus and striving to follow His example? And are you allowing yourself to be transformed by His love and grace? Focusing on these things will prepare you for Christ’s return and give you confidence and joy when He comes again.
