The Motivation of Anticipation
2 Peter 3:14
"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless."
The anticipation of a young couple getting married is great. The young lady anticipates her wedding by preparing the activities and decorations for their wedding day. She chooses a bridal gown and dresses for the attendants, all in anticipation for her wedding day. The young man plans the honeymoon and the tuxedos that he and his attendants will wear. He chooses a place where he and his new bride will live. All of this is done in anticipation. The anticipation of their wedding day motivates them to make major changes in their daily schedule and life.
God says that the anticipation of His return should be motivation to live a certain way. Just like the young couple make changes in their lives for their wedding day, you should make changes in your life for Jesus' return. As you see that day approaching, it should motivate you to be what God wants you to be when He comes. The verse above shows us how we should live our lives in anticipation of His return.
First, the anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to live a peaceful life. Living a peaceful life carries a few implications. It means that you should be at peace with God. In other words, your life should not cause turmoil between you and Christ. You want Christ to find you doing what He desires you to do. Moreover, you should strive to be at peace with others. You don't want Christ to find you with your heart filled with ought towards your brother. You are going to live with them in Heaven, so now is the time to be sure that there is nothing between the both of you. Furthermore, it means to be at peace with yourself. The only thing that will cause you to be at peace with yourself is to be sure that you are doing God's will for your life. The return of Christ should motivate you to be sure that you are fulfilling the will of God for your life.
Second, the anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to live a blameless life. Christian, don't do anything that can cause others to point their fingers at you. Christ's return should be the motivation to make sure that your testimony among men is what it should be. People should not be able to point their finger at you and say that you have wronged them. People should not be able to point their finger at you and say that you are living a wrong life. The anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to have a proper relationship with mankind.
Finally, the anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to live a life without spot. This is making sure that your relationship with Christ is right. Is there anything in your heart with which Christ would not be pleased? Christian, you want your relationship with Christ to be right. You don't want Him to find you with hidden sins. You don't want Him to find you with a life spotted by the world. Christ's return should be enough motivation to make sure you are right with God.
Simply put, the anticipation of Christ's return should motivate you to be right with yourself, others and Christ. If you are right with Christ, then you will be right with others and yourself. If one of these areas is not right, then all of the areas won't be right. Let your anticipation of Christ's return motivate you to change the things in your life to be sure that you are right in all three areas.