Encouragement and TeachingSample

Awaiting God’s future

God will give His children “the outcome of their faith, the salvation of their souls.” So, the goal of their lives is secure, and will be reached at the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is very helpful to keep this future grace in mind, especially when their present lives are hard. But this does not mean that they just sit idly around and wait till Jesus returns, or that they maintain their old, sinful lifestyle.

On the contrary. Peter exhorts his readers to prepare their minds for action and to be sober-minded. The outlook of eternal happiness with God motivates Christians to live a God honoring life here and now.

Maybe we could illustrate this with the example of a wedding. If you are invited as a wedding guest, you will probably dress up in your best clothes and do your hair beautifully; not because you would be unwelcome in your normal everyday clothes, but because you are looking forward to the feast and that makes you feel festive. God’s Kingdom is also compared to a wedding banquet. Christians are looking forward to this feast, and that outlook influences their lives here and now.

How are you preparing for the second coming of Jesus?