Thursday, May 3, 2018
A Spiritual Litmus Test
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8 nkjv)
Are you looking forward to the day when Christ returns? Does the thought of Jesus coming back at any moment cause your heart to leap with excitement? Or does it sink with dread? I think your response is a good litmus test of your spiritual character.
If your life is right with God, then I think you’ll welcome it when you hear that Christ could come back at any moment. You will rejoice in it. Like the apostle John, you will say as he did, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20 nkjv)
Writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul described those who were looking forward with great anticipation to the return of Jesus Christ. He was speaking of believers who are leading lives that are right before God, believers who are living lives that are honoring to God—believers who are ready for the return of Christ.
If that describes you, then the promise that was given to Paul is for you as well: “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8 nkjv).
Do you love His appearing? By that I mean, are you truly ready for the Lord’s return? If so, it will impact the way you live. We’re told in 1 John 3:3, “And everyone who has this hope in Him [the hope of Christ’s return] purifies himself, just as He is pure” (nlt). This simply means that you’re living a life that is right. You’re prepared. You’re looking forward with anticipation to the return of Jesus Christ.
If you’re living that way, then God promises you a crown of righteousness in that final day.
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