Spur To Holiness

By Leighton Ford

    The Second Coming of Christ and the end of the age are not subjects for idle curiosity.  The hope of Christ’s Return is no escapist clause.  It is not an out for Christian complacency, not an alibi for non-involvement.  To the contrary, it is a spur to holiness, to evangelism and to obedience.  It is a motivation to make God’s work on earth our own, for as Jesus said, “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).

    But it is also a motivation to be ready, “…For in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man will cometh” (Matt. 24:44).  And it is a motive to be holy.  The Scripture says, “Abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may…not be ashamed…” (1 John 2:28).  As Martin Luther said of himself, “We are to believe and live and love and work as though Jesus Christ died yesterday, rose today, and is coming again tomorrow.”