Looking Toward Jesus’ Return

PRAY OVER THIS

“All things were created through Him and for Him. …And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

(Colossians 1:16b, 18)

 

PONDER THIS

In Colossians 1:16, “For” is a preposition that speaks of direction. We in America have been invaded by Eastern religions. Eastern religions are circular. Everything goes round and round. Followers of these religions believe in reincarnation. And so you have to live with good karma. And if your karma is not good, then in your next life you may come back as a roach. But if you’ve been good, you might come back as a cow. That’s the reason someone might not eat meat. He might be eating his ancestor.

But life and history are not circular. It is all headed in a direction. The Bible is linear. We’re moving to the time when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ. That’s the reason He taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV). I can hardly wait.

What are some ways you might inadvertently be living according to the belief that you will be paid back for how good or bad your life was?

How does following Jesus differ from this? How does following Jesus and looking forward to His Second Coming motivate you to live differently?

PRACTICE THIS

Take some time to journal any ways you might be living to earn rewards in the next life. Confess these to the Father and thank Him that Jesus has done everything needed to secure your eternity and has promised to return again soon.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers