Eagerly awaiting for Christ’s return

READ: Jeremiah 9,10; Psalms 100; Philippians 3

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3: 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION: Nowadays, getting citizenship is becoming stricter in many countries, for various reasons. However, people still persistently apply for citizenship in the country they desire. They will follow all the prescribed rules to become a citizen and will eagerly wait to receive it. In Paul’s time, becoming a Roman citizen was very expensive (Acts 22:26-28). Believers in the Philippi, a Roman colony, would have easily understood the significance of Paul’s words. Enemies of the cross of Christ always turn our attention to worldliness and earthly things. But we should not pay heed to their enticing words.

Every Christian has permanent and eternal citizenship in heaven. Christ already paid the price for us to make us eligible to get heavenly citizenship. Jesus’ second coming is a prominent theme in almost all the New Testament books (except Galatians, Philemon, 2 John, and 3 John). We have many wonderful promises of Christ’s return. Jesus himself promised us that he would come back again (Jn.14:1-4). The Early Church was eagerly expecting Christ’s imminent return, and in every prayer, they said, “Maranatha” (which means, “O Lord, come.”)  D.L. Moody was once asked about the secret of his success. His response was, “For many years, I have never given an address without the consciousness that the Lord may come before I have finished.” Do we live with such an expectation about Christ’s return? Our life on the earth is only for a short period. But we will spend eternity with Christ in heaven. In Col.3:2, Paul says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” We will prepare ourselves for eternity only when we set our eyes and minds on the things above. Let us ask ourselves: Do we eagerly waiting for Christ’s return?

APPLICATION:  I have put my confidence in Christ. So, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:14). I will live with eternity in mind. I am eagerly waiting for Jesus’s return.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for the eternal hope you give me. Jesus, thank you for preparing a house for me in heaven. Lord, help me to be prepared for your return and live accordingly. Maranatha! Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

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