Living Ready

Three Responsibilities While We Wait

The end of all things is at hand.

These words, penned nearly two thousand years ago, still echo with urgency today. But what does this mean for us living in the twenty-first century? How should we conduct ourselves as we await the return of Christ?

The phrase "the end is at hand" doesn't refer to some apocalyptic termination of existence. Rather, it speaks to the consummation of all things—the fulfillment of every divine promise, when God's will is finally done on earth as it is in heaven. It points to that glorious moment when Christ returns to sit upon His throne and rule in righteousness.

We live in what theologians call the "last age"—that undisclosed period between Christ's ascension and His second coming. Every generation of faithful believers since the apostles has lived with this same reality: the King could return at any moment.

Yet here's where we often get lost. We become obsessed with when rather than how we should live. We fixate on timelines and prophecy charts instead of readiness and duty. But throughout Scripture, whenever the second coming is discussed, the emphasis is always on our responsibility and preparedness, not on deciphering dates.

Jesus illustrated this beautifully when He told His disciples to stay dressed for action, keeping their lamps burning like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding feast. The blessing comes to those servants whom the master finds awake and faithful when He arrives.

Martin Luther, when asked what he would do if he knew the world would end today, reportedly said he would plant a tree and pay his taxes. Think about that. He would continue his daily responsibilities—thinking generationally, acting dutifully. That's the point. The nearness of the end should stimulate us to faithful action, not frenzied speculation.

So what are our responsibilities while our Master is away?

Pray Seriously and Earnestly

"Be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."

These words should pierce our hearts. How often do our prayers consist of mindless drivel? How frequently are we distracted, thinking about our to-do lists, our entertainment, our worries, rather than focusing on the One to whom we're speaking?

To be self-controlled in prayer means freeing ourselves from distractions. When we set aside time to pray, we must truly be present—not simultaneously doing other things or allowing our minds to wander.

To be sober-minded means being observant and paying attention. We must take a long, sober look at the world around us. Yes, the news can be overwhelming. The headlines can stir us up emotionally. But we cannot divorce ourselves completely from reality, or we won't pray—or worse, we can't pray.

Look at the conflict in the Middle East. Consider the economic challenges at home. Observe the divisions among people. Watch as Christianity seems to drift toward progressive ideas that contradict Scripture. Notice how the world is forming our children.

We need to be hyper-vigilant about spiritual warfare in our day and call it out for what it is. When bad things happen, we shouldn't chalk it up to bad luck. We believe in a sovereign God who has gracious purposes, but we also recognize that the enemy uses circumstances against us.

While our Master is away, we have a duty to pray earnestly about what we see. We should look at our families, our churches, our communities, and the global body of Christ, and we should pray.

Perhaps we should even fast and pray for our Bridegroom to return. Have you ever skipped a meal specifically to pray for the second coming of Christ? If we truly believe that when Jesus sits on His throne all things will be put right, shouldn't we be desperately desirous of that day?

Prioritize Love for Other Believers

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

Love has been co-opted by the world, reduced to romance and sentiment. But love is the supreme Christian virtue. It's how Jesus summarized all the law and the prophets: love God with everything you have, and love your neighbor as yourself.

It's how the world knows we truly belong to Jesus. As He said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

This love must be specific and direct, showing up in two key areas.

First, there's fervent love for our local congregation. The Holy Spirit sovereignly places believers in specific local bodies. Our chief concern shouldn't be how people dress, what Bible version they carry, or what music they prefer. Our chief concern must be that we love one another.

The word "earnestly" or "fervently" paints a vivid picture: a sprinter stretching with every fiber of his being, preparing to run at full speed. That's the energy we're called to put into loving one another—completely emptying the tank, holding nothing back.

This isn't sentimental or emotional love that leaves us bankrupt. It's sacrificial love that puts the welfare of others above our own. God demonstrated this kind of love when Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

Because we love like this, we become gracious with one another. We forgive. Love covers a multitude of sins. If we're going to make a mistake with our brothers and sisters, it should be on the side of grace.

Second, there's cheerful love for believers outside our immediate circle. The word "hospitality" literally means "love for strangers"—specifically, other believers we don't know.

This isn't about the world or the lost; it's about having a family kind of love for fellow Christians, even those we haven't met. And our attitude matters. We're told to show this love "without grumbling."

Service can grow tiresome. Acts of kindness can exhaust us physically, emotionally, and mentally. But we cannot give in to resentment or bitterness. There's no virtue in sacrifice that costs us nothing. As we give and our resources are depleted, it's easy to get frustrated. But we must decide that while our Master is away, we'll never grow weary of well-doing.

Use Your Spiritual Gifts for God's Glory

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

Every believer has been given a gift by God at salvation. Without exception. If you know Jesus, you have a gift, whether you understand what it is or not.

Sometimes the Holy Spirit takes what's natural to you and redeems it for His purposes. More often, He brings something supernatural that you're not capable of doing on your own. Either way, these gifts aren't given so we can congratulate ourselves. They're bestowed by God to serve others.

Whether we speak or serve, whether we share testimonies or help behind the scenes, we do so through God's strength and for His glory. The power to actually do good, to build the church, to encourage and edify others—it doesn't come from us. It comes from the Spirit who gives the gifts.

When we use our gifts properly, they point to Christ. They glorify God through Him. They testify to a watching world that the gospel is real and that we truly belong to Jesus.

Found Faithful

The end is near. Time is at hand. We cannot afford to lose our minds in end-time frenzy or doomsday prepping. Instead, let us be found faithfully doing what our Master has called us to do.

Let us be good stewards of God's gracious gifts. Let us love one another well as a matter of priority. And let us be serious about praying while our Master is away.

Blessed is that servant whom the master finds so doing when He comes.

The question isn't when Jesus will return. The question is: What will He find us doing when He does?