When Will Christ Return?
BRD REFLECTIONS
1 Thessalonians 5 and Psalm 115 (NIV)
(Stanley Loh, Zone 12 Core Team, Small Group Ministry )
READ:
1 Thessalonians 5 and Psalm 115 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:2, 9-11 NIV)
APPLY:
Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and has been described in the Bible as the Bridegroom while the church is the Bride. Every bride-to-be waits expectantly for the groom to come and receive her and to unite as one. Until the day of the wedding, the bride does not simply sit and wait for the groom. She continues going about doing the usual things in her life. In addition, she will also prepare for the grand day of union. It is a process of preparing, beautifying, purifying herself to be the best she can be for her groom.
Verses 12-18 provides guidance on how I can prepare, beautify and purify myself while I wait. Acknowledge those who work hard among you, care for you and admonish you; hold them in the highest regard in love, live in peace. Warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Do not repay wrong done to us, but strive to do what is good. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Sounded easy but upon reflection, I find myself falling way short. This is where Christians must see the need to stay together, worship as a church and support one another. Small groups, fellowship groups, devotional groups are created to provide the inter-support needed to sustain the growth journey of our faith for now and always, till Christ’s return.
DO:
Christ may return tomorrow. Christ may return after my life on earth. While I wait, my faith is a work in progress and I need to have the self-discipline of Christian living, rely on my small group and on the zone’s core group for fellow believers’ help and guidance. Most important, I will lean on the Holy Spirit to illumine my path and keep me faithful.
PRAY:
Lord, thank you for giving me wonderful Christians that surround me to serve, as beacons of light that guide my way. Thank you for those who have cared for me and admonished me. For they have not allowed me to idle and waste away. Help me in turn to care for the weak, encourage the disheartened and be patient with all. Even while I rejoice, help me to learn to pray often, continually and unceasingly. For this is God’s will for me in Christ Jesus.
And in His name, I pray, Amen.
