Time is Short (2)

For believers these last days should be marked by holy living.

There is no more time for living like the rest of the world. These are days of responsibility and opportunity. As christians we have been given orders by our Lord to proclaim the gospel both in word and in deed. We will be held accountable for how well we have followed these orders and whether we made the most of the time and resources that we were given for His Kingdom purpose.

Romans 13:11–14 ESV

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

There should be a continual forsaking of ourselves, and putting on of Christ that marks our lives.

1 Peter 4:3–5 ESV

For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:7–9 ESV

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

When we live with an eager expectation of Christ’s return, it radically changes our priorities.

2 Peter 3:8–13 ESV

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

The Lord has been incredibly patient with us and for that we should be very thankful. However these last days are quickly moving towards the very last day when there will be no more opportunity for repentance. This reality is meant to drive us to action.

We don’t just sit and complacently wait for our Lord’s return, we are called to hasten His coming. To be diligent for that day with eager anticipation. What we do during this time matters greatly!

What are we doing with the time that we have been given?