July 8, 2019 - There is an often asked question, “Oh where will I be when Christ returns to this earth, when he comes again.”
To be with him throughout eternity we must first be ready for his return, eagerly awaiting his coming and the rewards of being faithful to him throughout our lives on earth, we must first put on the new self, the Christian heart and live for Christ as he died for us.
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1)
On the day of Pentecost, that glorious day when the Holy Spirit came to guide the faithful. Peter preached to the masses saying, “This Jesus God raised, and of that we are all witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:32-33)
Peter made this statement of Jesus’ deity from his own personal witness of the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. An eye witness to it all.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3-4)
To first put on this new self, to be faithful to Christ as we still must live on earth in the midst of its corruption and sin we must follow the scriptures as they tell us, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you; sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5)
And then Paul gives us the true magnitude of Gods hate of all sin as he tells us why the wrath of God is coming on the earth.
“On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” (Colossians 3:6)
WOW!!! Don’t tell me that God is so sweet, so loving that he doesn’t really hold our sins in account, for he does. For as he is loving he is also just and true to himself.
“In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put on the new self, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:7-10)
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called, in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
Have you put on your new self? Do you wait patiently for the coming of the Lord? Will you run to meet him when he arrives? Only you can answer these questions, but to know that you are ready for his coming they must answered and done.
May his blessings be yours this day and forever.
