Faith and Holiness Linked to Christ's Return

By A. W. Tozer
 

Yes, dear friends, we are already God's children,
right now, and we can't even imagine what it is
going to be like later on. But we do know this,
that when he comes we will be like him, as a
result of seeing him as he really is. - 1 John 3:2

  The Bible does not approve of modern curiosity that
plays with the Scriptures and which seeks only to
impress credulous and gullible audiences!

  I cannot think of even one lonely passage in the New
Testament which speaks of Christ's revelation, mani-
festation, appearing or coming that is not directly linked
with moral conduct, faith and spiritual holiness.

   The appearing of the Lord Jesus on this earth once
more is not an event upon which we may curiously
speculate - and when we do only that we sin!  The
prophetic teacher who engages in speculation to excite
the curiosity of his hearers without providing them with
a moral application is sinning even as he speaks.

      There have been enough foolish formulas advanced
about the return of Christ by those who were simply
curious to cause many believers to give the matter no
further thought or concern.  But Peter said to expect
"the appearing of Jesus Christ."

   Paul said there is a crown of righteousness laid up in
 glory for all those who love His appearing. John spoke of
 his hope of seeing Jesus and bluntly wrote: "Every man
 that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he
 is pure."

       Are you ready for the appearing of Jesus Christ?  Or
 are you among those who are merely curious about His
 coming?

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Yours in Christ,
Paul N. F.