Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
The Bible is a guide for daily living, offering wise insights into how we are to conduct our lives. Christianity is a faith for daily living, guiding us in how we are to think and act towards all. While Jesus certainly spoke about the end of the world, He demonstrated the Kingdom of God with His walk through this world.
Not long ago, I had a conversation with a person who spoke of Christianity as though the end of the world was all that mattered. I got the impression that Revelation and Daniel were the only books in this person’s Bible. The whole conversation swirled around the dreaded things to come, prophesied by both the Old Testament and the New Testament. There seemed to be a certain glee in how the world would be judged and “sinners” would get what was coming. It was troubling.
I left the conversation examining how I live my life daily as a reflection of Christ. How do I demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit daily? Is my love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control on full display to all I meet? Are these on display to my neighbors of a different color, a different race, a different country, a different generation, a different sexual persuasion, a different political party, or a different economic status? I pray so.
Or am I so caught up in what’s to come that I never put my beliefs into action here and now? Am I so busy thinking about Revelation that I never stop to live out the revelation the Holy Spirit is making in my life daily? I pray not.
Christians are to be living for Christ now. We are to be demonstrating Christ to those around us now. We are to be treating people, some very different from us, with Christ-like love now. Christ says that no one knows when the end times are coming. In Matthew 24, Jesus suggests that the days leading up to the end will be very unremarkable – people will be marrying, eating, drinking,et cetera like any other day.
In His time among us, Jesus ate with prostitutes and tax collectors. He healed lepers. He talked with those shunned and hated by society. If He were here this moment, He’d be doing the same with the modern day version of prostitutes, tax collectors, lepers, and others cast off from society. If we are like Him, we must be loving the same.
I remind myself tonight, as I sit in the comfort of my warm house, working on my PC, listening to a pastor speak on my TV, that Jesus is for daily living. His words were not for some far off day that I may or may not see this side of heaven. His words were directed to me to guide my daily walk with Him.
When we follow Christ, we’ll encounter those He encountered, those society has rejected. If not, can we say we’re truly following? If I’m truly a disciple, I’ll love them as He loved them, in every thought, word, and deed.