Journey's Narrow Door

The LORD Master is Coming!

Recently, at church our Pastor spoke about the end time events and how we as Christians do not belong to this world.  We live here on earth, physically, but spiritually, we are citizens of Heaven with our LORD Master, Jesus Christ.  In Colossians 3:1-3:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things that are above, not “on things that are on earth. ³ For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

My life is hidden with Christ Jesus in GOD and thus, as child of GOD, I do not belong to this world spiritually any longer.  I am to live my life as a worthy child of GOD, obedient to His will, and to keep watch  in anticipation of His return.

Physically, I am of this world.  I walk in the world around me, interacting with others living here also.  But, my true nature now is of an alien, a sojourner on this earth.

Why is it then, as a born-again believer, I want sometimes so desperately to make my life “the best life ever” here on earth?  My best and most glorious life is with my LORD Master daily in His will.  That is the life I am to be living here on earth.  Of course, I am also waiting for my life with GOD the Father, His Son Jesus and His Holy Spirit in their home, Heaven.

Why am I not more excited; more anticipatory; more prayerful; more hopeful; more yearning; and more encouraged to have our LORD Master come, sooner rather than later?

I was thinking about this and what the LORD Master showed me was that I really never had a grasp on why I should be excited for His return.  I have never fully grasp the concept that I don’t belong on this earth.  Yes, I was born here, but this is not really my home anymore.  As soon as I became a child of GOD’s, I became a citizen of Heaven.

Just as anyone who moves to a new country has to become accustom to a new culture and way of life, so too do I have to learn and adapt to my new home, Heaven and its customs?

Heaven’s customs and way of life are not the same as the world I live in.  Here, on planet earth, I live in a fallen and dead state.  All of everything I know will burn away one day.  I may die before that happens and even then, nothing I have can go with me.  All I have to take with me is how I lived my life.

How do I live my life?  Do I live for my LORD and Savior and as a citizen of Heaven, walking worthy of my adoption into the kingdom of GOD or do I live in my pride filled self-dog that this world of death teaches? Surrender or Self-Dog?  The choice is mine every day.

So, until I am repatriated, I live on earth awaiting my LORD Master’s return.

I am reminded of the verse in Matthew 24:45-51 that states:

⁴⁵ “Who then is the faithful and wise servant,^[a] whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 

⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁷ Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 

⁴⁸ But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’

⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants^[b] and eats and drinks with drunkards, 

⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 

⁵¹ and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”   ESV

In this verse it speaks of the LORD Master coming at a time which I do not know.  A blessed servant is found doing His master’s will, anticipating his master’s return and having faith that his master will return, he just doesn’t know when.

A wicked servant sees his master’s delay as an opportunity to live as he chooses and not as his master has commanded. This servant is a self-dog, driving his own life instead of surrendering to his master’s will.

Since I don’t know the hour in which my LORD Master will return, preparation is an ongoing activity.  I cannot just pack my bags once and woo hoo, I am ready!  Nope.  I must be willing to continually prepare for His arrival. But how in the world do I continually prepare for my LORD Master’s return?

Have you guessed the answer yet?  Surrender.  Our LORD Master wants us to be blessed and faithful servants, surrendered completely to Him and allowing Him to live His life through us. We are to obey Him and worship Him. A simple request and promise: give Me your life and I will give you Mine. Trust Him. He is a Faithful GOD!

As we anticipate our LORD Master’s return, be excited; after all, we are going home to Heaven where we will be worshipping our GOD forever and ever!

LORD GOD, thank you!  Thank you for your awesome promises and faithfulness.  Thank you for all you are. Thank you that you pick us up and set us straight when we have fallen. Thank you!

LORD GOD, set our hearts, our eyes and our minds toward You. Let us give up ourselves and plans and purposes and allow Your Will to be lived out in our life as preparation of Your Son’s coming Glory.

LORD GOD to You be the Glory and the Might and the Praise forever and ever.

Maranatha!

Amen

J