Do you remember being a little kid and you just thought it would never get to your birthday – or to Christmas? Now, fast-forward to your current age. Whatever decade you’re in – your perspective is likely different. Even teens start to say things like – “time has passed so quickly.” Essentially, time is growing short. We live knowing we will eventually die. If nothing else, time is certainly limited.
So, let’s explore how to live each day while time is growing short.
Time Is Growing Short
“Time is growing short” refers to Jesus’ second coming, I’ve heard some say – “you can’t say time is growing short. It’s been centuries since Jesus said He’s coming back. We’ve got time on this. In fact, it could be a long time yet.”
I agree – and I disagree. It may be some time, yet. Truly, it has been centuries. However, we’re a lot closer now than ever before. Strategically, Jesus – and writers of Scripture – warn not to ignore the essence of time. Even God’s enemy knows his time is short. Check out Rev. 12:12 – “. . . he knows that his time is short.”
Consider –
- Writers of Scripture have stated time is short.
- Jesus, Himself, warned the same.
- God’s enemy knows time is short.
It only makes sense we should take notice. After all, better to be prepared than caught off-guard. Plus, there’s work to be done before His coming. People still need Jesus.
What Did Jesus Say
Jesus, Himself, doesn’t know when His second coming will be. Yet, without doubt, He’s ready-to-ride whenever His Father says – “It’s time! Let’s go!” Listen to Scripture. “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” (Mt. 24:36; Mk. 13:32) Jesus said this!
Honestly, can you imagine any scenario where Jesus would not be ready when it’s time to return? So, He doesn’t know the timing. But – He’s “living ready!”
If Jesus is “living ready,” don’t you think you should be, too? If Jesus talked about His return, don’t you think we should, too? In Jn. 14:3 He says, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” In other words, He fully intends to come back!
The Reality – Time Is Growing Short
The day of Christ’s return is near. Much nearer than most people think. How you live matters as we gear up for a big eternal change.
Probably the best way to focus each day is to remember how God’s love has given you eternal life and freedom. Essentially, you (and I) owe a debt of love to Jesus for all He has done.
The best way to stay current – “paid-up” – with this debt is to love –
- God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
- Others in your current scenario, culture, or difficulty.
- Yourself correctly.
When you love like this, you live inside hope.
How To Present Yourself
In these times of uncertainty, hear the truth. Simply, that your life is strategically important. You are not a mistake. You are here with purpose at this time in history. Incidentally, God doesn’t make mistakes. He has design and purpose for you – and for our world. Let’s look deeper into where to start.
FIRST
First, the best place to start is to love God more than any other. Make Him “first-most-best-only” in your heart’s priorities. Do this by being “hidden with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3) Actually, be completely covered by Him. Rom. 13:14 says, “Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ.” Quite literally, put Christ on – like clothing. Essentially, cover your life – and be filled with Christ.
The rest of Rom. 13:14 says, “. . . make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Simply put, make no provision for the the old nature. Rom. 6:11 says, “. . . consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Incidentally, this means cooperate fully with God as He transforms you to be like Jesus.
Time is growing short to prove with your life that you love God “first-most-best-only.”
SECOND
Love others. The last phrase of Rom. 13:9 says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” How much do you care about your family? Your friends? Community? Country? Stretch this even further. How much do you care about the state of our world?
Guess what! God cares about all these things. Equally, He commands you to follow His lead. By this invitation, He continues to change you on the inside as you stay clothed in Christ.
Time is growing short to prove you love those around you – and around the world.
THIRD
If you don’t know how to love yourself, you won’t know how to love others well. God wants you to value the life He’s given you. According to His Word, He wants you to correctly love yourself. Do you know how to do this? Here are some ways:
- Take care of yourself. Diet, exercise, sleep, perspective, attitudes, time, boundaries, etc.
- Stretch and grow into a mature person. Be in God’s Word. Do what it says. Be well-read in general.
- Are you kind to yourself? Treat yourself the way Scripture teaches God thinks of you.
- Be hard on yourself in the right way. Don’t let yourself get away with unhealthy behaviors.
- Care enough to hold yourself accountable for honorable behavior. You have control over this. If you hold yourself accountable, no one else has to.
- Make yourself work hard at godly character. God created people to work hard and enjoy it.
- Set good boundaries to guard your heart from unnecessary abuse or hurt. This proves you value your life – even as God values you.
- Enjoy who you are. God enjoys you! You should, too.
Time is growing short to be the best “you” God designed.
Time Really Is Growing Short
The day of Jesus’ return is so much sooner than any of us realize. The Lord says – Wake up! Sleep time is over. Clothe yourself with Jesus. Stay hidden with Christ in God. Commit to God’s agenda. Walk in the light and spread it around the world.
God is working to rescue people from effects, patterns, and habits of sin. He knows the day of His return is closing in. Jesus shares with you the privilege and responsibility of reaching many lost people.
It’s A Critical Time
This is a critical time before Christ returns to set up His Kingdom. Jesus doesn’t want anyone to be lost. He asks you to partner with Him.
Interestingly, God suggests the timing of His return is connected to His followers’ involvement. 2 Peter 3:12 says, “. . . look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” From His perspective, you are involved!
There are things you can do to help:
- Love God with all you are.
- Behave decently at all times.
- Be faithful even when you are weary, angry, or disappointed.
- Rise above adversity.
- Don’t give in to sinful acts.
- Be a testimony to others.
The Lord will engage your gifts, skills, and experiences. But He also wants to overcome your struggles and failures as you partner with Him. So, “draw near to God with a sincere heart.” (Heb. 10:22)
Consider This
The first coming of the Lord was quiet as He slipped into a manger. Another “coming” is expressed through your life. And then Jesus’ second coming will be sudden and dramatic – ushering eternity into modern history.
NOW! – is the day of salvation. Your work is to love –
- God and walk closely with Him.
- Others into His Kingdom.
- Yourself correctly.
Interestingly, Jesus wants people to choose their destiny. That’s why He created people with free will. Still, He expresses anguish when they don’t choose Him. Nevertheless, God continually offers eternal hope even as the hour grows short. As already mentioned, His hope is offered – first through a manger. Second, through your daily life. And third – through His second coming.
Incidentally, people send themselves to eternal suffering. To hell. It’s not really God. His original design and greatest desire is to save everyone. “. . . not wishing anyone to perish . . .” (2 Pet. 3:9)
Nevertheless, people need nudging. So, what are you doing to nudge yourself? How about to nudge others?
Live like time is growing short!
Application Thoughts And Questions
How can you live a simple life of love?- What are you doing that promotes God’s agenda?
- In what ways can you stay free from entanglements, stress, from always wanting more, and sin?
- What do you need to change to focus on things God focuses on?
- Do you love God more than any other?
- Further, do you love your neighbor as yourself?
- Importantly, do you love yourself correctly?
- Are you faithful to Jesus even when you’re weary, angry, or disappointed?
- Will you partner with Jesus in this late hour to reach others who need Him?
- Do you live like time is growing short?
* Portions of this content came from our book – It’s Your Move – a devotional book that takes you through Romans and powerfully challenges you to live with perspective and purpose. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.
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