Week of 6/16-6/22: Living in Light - The King Returns to Live

Day One: 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10 For the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.  

“DAD’S COMING.” That can be a scary phrase or a good phrase, depending on the circumstances.If the bedroom is destroyed, chores have not been done, or the report card is less than stellar, “dad’s coming” can be a terrible phrase.However, if the circumstance is that the car broke down in the middle of the road while driving or there is a stranger lurking around the yard, “dad’s coming” is a soothing and comforting phrase.

Dad is coming, or perhaps more accurately, brother is coming.Big brother, that is.Jesus.This knowledge, that God is coming to redeem believers and to rescue, restore, and bring justice, should change how believers live their everyday lives.But this is not soothing for unbelievers.God’s coming is also the coming of judgment.Sin will be judged.People will give an account.Knowing this reality should change how unbelievers live their lives, namely, it should bring them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who alone can satisfy God’s righteous anger toward sinners.

The Christian faith is not intended to be a “one day when we get to heaven” reality only.It is supposed to be a life-changing reality now.The knowledge of Christ’s coming should lead people to get their lives lined up with God.Everyday decisions, attitudes, and actions matter.He is coming.He may be today, perhaps tomorrow.Whenever it is, one thing is certain: It is going to happen.Because of that, this should have a profound impact on each moment of our lives.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Why should knowing Jesus is returning have an impact on how you live?

▷▷Why do you think most live in ways that ignores this fact?

▷▷What is a way to stay reminded of this truth on a consistent basis?