James 3:13 - 3 John 14
We spend a lot of our lives waiting. We wait in doctor's offices, in grocery stores, and movie theaters. We wait for phone calls, emails, and letters. We wait for loved ones to come home and little ones to grow up. As parents, we wait for the first word, the first tooth, and the first scraped knee. As children, we wait for the first day of school, the presents of birthdays, and the trip to Sea World or Disneyland. As teenagers, we wait for the first day we can drive, alone.
And as Christians, who are the bride of Christ, we wait for the bridegroom. Will I "fall asleep" like so many believers before, or will I still be here when He comes to take us home. So what do we do while were waiting. Both Peter and John gave us a little help.
"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist–he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us–even eternal life." (John 2:18, 22-24)
We know that in the last hour many people, some even that profess to be part of the church, will deny that Jesus is the Christ; that deny that Jesus was the Son of God. John reminds us that those that confess Jesus as the Son of God, know who God is. John encourages us to remain faithful in what we have been taught. There are many among the church who have tried to uncover what they call the "historical" Jesus; to deny the Son. Unfortunately, they have led astray many. But John reminds us to "let no one deceive you, the one that does what is right is righteous." Those that walk in the light, those that live a life of agape love, those that confess that Jesus is the Son of God - God remains in them.
Besides holding true to the doctrine of faith, while we are waiting Peter illustrates what a believer's life led by the Spirit looks like in 1 Peter 4:7-11.
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self‑controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
Pray. Love. Serve. Speak. To each other and for the glory of God through Jesus Christ. While you and I are waiting for the return of the bridegroom, we need to follow Jesus. Pray for our fellow believers and pray for unbelievers. Love each other so deeply that it invites the sinners to join the table for the wedding feast. Serve each other with what ever gift the Spirit has given you. And speak of His holy and merciful name to a dying world.
Pray. Love. Serve. Speak. When we do those in the name of Jesus, we bring glory to God.
So if your looking for something to do next time your waiting; Pray. Love. Serve. Speak.
