John Wesley was once asked, “If you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow, what would you do today?” His reply was, “I would keep to the same schedule I keep every day.” Could you answer with such confidence? Are you living today with the full expectation that Jesus could be coming back tomorrow? I suspect few of us could answer with a resounding, “Yes!” I know I could not.
Despite my continuing efforts and growth, I fear if I knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, my activities today would differ from what I did yesterday. I confess I hate that about myself. I’ve got to do better. We must all do better. How we live today should be the same as how we would live if we knew Jesus would be coming back tomorrow.
Why do we who are confident in Christ’s return live as if it won’t happen? When Jesus told us no one knows the hour of His return (Matthew 24:36), it wasn’t to prevent people from guessing. It was to admonish us to live each day as if He were coming back tomorrow. None of us wants to be found sinning when Jesus breaks through the clouds. No matter how holy we live our lives, if we let our guard down for a moment, that could be the very moment our King comes back. In an instant, all our diligence and devotion will seem like nothing. I can think of few greater horrors than to be found not ready when my glorious Savior returns for me.
Jesus warns us we should live expecting His return. The parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) teaches us to not only be watching for His return, but to make preparations for it. That Jesus is coming back is a certainty. He said He would (John 14:3), and He has never, will never, and cannot lie (Hebrews 6:17-18; Numbers 23:19). His parable gives us both warning and instruction.
We must live with the full expectation that He will be coming back tomorrow. If we aren’t found ready, we will spend eternity without Him. My assumption is that most of you reading this have placed their faith in Jesus. He will not cast us aside. Knowing this, why wouldn’t we want to live every day looking forward to His return? Why wouldn’t we live with such focus and commitment that Jesus will find us more than ready to meet Him?
I want to order my days–every one of them–so if I found out Jesus was coming back tomorrow, I wouldn’t change a thing. Don’t you? What is it you are doing today that wouldn’t make the cut? Philippians 4:8 is a great guide here. Focus all your thoughts, energy, and time on those things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Engage only in words, activities, and actions that are of moral excellence and worthy of praise. Stop wasting time on the things of this world. Devote your heart, mind, strength, and soul to loving and serving God (Mark 12:29-30). Live as if you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow.