4 Things To Concentrate On As You Wait For Christ's Return
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Many of God's people are sensing that Christ's return might be coming more sooner than later! But the question that begs to be answered is: What should God's people concentrate on as they are waiting for Christ's return?
From God's word we can see 4 things we are told should be our aim and priority as we wait. Whether Christ's return is sooner or later these four things should always be what we focus on.
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so 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" 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)
#1: Remain Steadfast In Prayer
There are two important factors that are vital to help us maintain a steadfastness in praying. They are being "Alert" and "Sober Minded". Being alert means that we are to be aware of what is happening around us both in the physical word and in the spiritual world. How can we pray as we should if we are not noticing what is happening around us.
The second is like the first but also slightly different and that is to be sober minded. We need to keep ourselves from becoming intoxicated by the pleasures and the trappings of this world. Intoxication of this world is probably the biggest hinderance to a powerful and God honoring prayer life.
#2: Express Sincere Love For One Another
Peter says two important things when it comes to the love that we need to have for one another. First, he tells us that we need to love each other deeply. Our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ can't be a surface kind of love that is more "talk" than it is a "walk'. Talk cheap love doesn't do anything for anybody accept offer flattery. We need to show deep love for one another because as the day approaches for Christ's return we might actually need to lay down our lives for one another out of love. If you don't have a deep love for each other you won't be willing to die for that person.
Next Peter tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. That means if we really love someone and I mean really love them we will over look their faults and even their sins agains us. We will forgive each other even in the midst of them persecuting us.
#3: Demonstrate Hospitality With The Right Attitude
Hospitality without grumbling. Attitude is everything. If you do all the right things but do them all with the wrong attitude - it's still wrong and amounts to nothing. Doing something nice for someone but not really wanting to still displeases God. God wants us to desire with all our hearts to express love through good deeds.
#4: Use Your Spiritual Gifts To Strengthen Each Other
God has given you spiritual gifts not for your benefit but for the benefit of His body - the church and for it to be done in such a way that Christ gets the praise! God ministers to His people, through His people, by using their spiritual gifts. You need to use your spiritual gifts, use them liberally and use them to strengthen your church fellowship.
