That blessed hope has encouraged saints in all generations, and the anticipation of the second coming of Christ is to have an effect on my conduct before others: Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. The fact that Jesus could come for His Church at any moment is a truth that inspires me to live a pure, holy life.

The apostle John wrote: Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. John also exhorts us to abide in Him so that we will not be ashamed before Him at His coming. In other words, anticipating the coming of Jesus should prompt us to prepare.

Jesus Himself has told us to be ready. What preparations are you making for His return? Are you getting weary of fighting? Listen to the Word of God in 1 Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Are you denying ungodliness and worldly lusts? Titus 2:12 says that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. And 1 John 2:15,16 exhorts: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.

Are you maintaining a close relationship with Jesus? Are you keeping in fellowship with other believers regularly? Is your personal prayer life edifying, effective, mindful of others? How is your personal construction coming along? Are you applying yourself to the checklist found in 2 Peter 1:5-7? Although His coming will be a surprise to many, an abiding saint need not be surprised. The King is coming! Does this thought excite you? Are you looking?

It’s time to throw out the trash, pull out those thorns, and stop the excuses. May His grace revive you this week and give you the strength to deny yourself, run with endurance, wrestle against evil, and resist the devil. Remember the promise of Jesus: I am coming quickly!