One of the key thoughts throughout the entire Bible is the return of Jesus Christ.

The Apostles thought that Jesus would return during their lifetime, so they lived hour by hour as if this was the last opportunty they had to serve and share. It does amaze me the more time has passed, how our thinking toward the return of Christ has changed. While all Christians believe Jesus is coming back, some don’t believe it will happen in their own lifetime. We should be living every day as if it is our last. Peter, wanting us to be completely ready, explains how we should be living while we wait.

The end of things are at hand, so we are to love above all else.

On our way, Peter share this truth with us as well: We are to be serious and watchful in our prayers.

Listen to how Peter describes how we are to love.

1. We are to love fervently. The word pictures an athlete straining to reach the goal. It speaks of eagerness and intensity. Christian love means that we treat other the way God treats us.
2. We are to love forgivingly. Love does not condone sin; for if we love someone, we will be grieved to see him sin and hurt himself and others. Rather, love covers sin in that love motivates us to hide the sin from others and not spread it.
3. We are to love practically. In the NT hospitality was an important thing, because there were few hotels and poor Christ could not afford to stay at them anyway.
4. We are to love in our service. Each Christian has at least one spiritual gift that needs to use to the glory of God and the building up of the church.

This is how we are supposed to live as believers, understanding that our Lord can return at any moment.

But for those who are not believers, the only way you can prepare is by repenting of your sins, asking Jesus to forgive you, believing that He can and will, and then committing you life, stating that you will obey Jesus, and the Word of God, turning your back on the way you used to live.

Jesus is coming soon, so we must prepare today. Come.