Are we eagerly awaiting the coming of Jesus Christ? Does our life and our life’s choices reflect that eagerness for Jesus to come?
In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul writes to the Christians in Philippi: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”
In the context, Paul says we should “follow his example” (3:17). When we look back over the letter of Philippians, we see some activities Paul did while he was eagerly waiting for Christ to return:
- Pray – 1:3-4, 19; 4:6
- Live righteously – 1:10, 27; 2:3-5, 14 (cf. Luke 12:36)
- Evangelize – 1:5, 7, 14; 2:16 (cf. Acts 17:16)
- Abound in love – 1:9
- Exalt / worship Christ – 1:20; 4:1
- Encourage others – 1:25
- Suffer for the Truth – 1:29; 2:17; 3:8-10 (Consider what he says of his enemies: 1:15, 17; 3:2, 3).
- Be content – 4:11-14
Paul writes similar words in a few other passages. In 1 Thessalonians 1:10, he says we are: “to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.” To Titus in 2:13, Paul writes Christians are: “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”
In 1 Corinthians 1:7, he says: “you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Finally, the Hebrew writer reminds us in 9:28: “Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”
In 2 Peter 3:12-14, Peter writes, just as Paul has written, that we are “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.”
We belong to a different country, a heavenly country. Let’s keep our eyes focused on that goal and live in peace, spotless and blameless to be prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ. It will be glorious!
Paul Holland