Topic: LIVE WITH THE HOPE OF CHRIST’S RETURN  [Church of God Mission International] Above Only Daily Devotional 22 October 2021

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ABOVE ONLY DEVOTIONAL

BY: ARCHBISHOP M E BENSON IDAHOSA

*FRIDAY OCTOBER, 22, 2021

LIVE WITH THE HOPE OF CHRIST’S RETURN

2Timothy 4:7-8 (LB), 1John 3:2b-3 (CEV) I have fought long and hard for my Lord, and through it all I have kept true to him. …. In heaven a crown is waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And not just to me but to all those whose lives show that they are eagerly looking forward to his coming back again. *…But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ is holy.

There are two major things that will happen when Christ returns. Our physical bodies shall be changed into His glorious body and we shall receive great rewards for our works and service unto God. “Listen!” says Jesus, “I am coming soon! I will bring my rewards with me, to give to each one according to what he has done,” (Rev.22:12, GNB).

The return of Christ is going to be more glorious than many believers expect it will be. It will be a time where we will experience the fullness of God’s glory and salvation. The Bible says, “…Christ, having been offered to take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins of many once and once for all, will appear a second time, not to carry any burden of sin nor to deal with sin, but to bring to full salvation those who are [eagerly, constantly, and patiently] waiting for and expecting Him.”

Are you looking forward to Christ’s return? As believers, we are not supposed to be afraid of Christ’s coming but excited and looking forward to it! The coming of Christ should motivate us to keep ourselves pure as we fulfil purpose and do exploits for Him. He wants us to occupy till He comes. When the Bible says Christ in us the hope of glory, it is actually referring to the unimaginable glory we shall experience when Christ returns. The Bible says,“…the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us,” (Rom.8:18). The Bible says if we continue to be grounded and settled in the faith and are not moved away from this hope, Jesus will present us holy, unblameable and unreprovable in His sight, (Col.1:21-23).

Faith Declaration:

I am eagerly looking forward to Christ’s return and I am doing exploits and keeping myself pure. Christ in me, the hope of glory!

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING PLAN
Jeremiah 37:1-38:28, 1Timothy 6:1-21, Psalm 89:38-52, Proverbs 25:28