“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”                  (2Timothy 4:8).

All this month we’ve been talking about LOVE. Here’s a recap.

Love the LORD week 1;

First, GOD IS LOVE. (1John 4:8)

Second, GOD LOVES. (1John 4:9)

Third, HE LOVED US FIRST. (1John 4:19)

Last, GOD DIED FOR US. (1John 3:16)

Love OTHERS week 2:

Love The Brethren. (John 13:34)

Love Others. (1Thess 3:12)

Love to Visit the needy. (Jas 1:27)

Love our Enemies. (Luke 6:27)

This week we ask, do we Love the Victory in Christ at His Appearing?

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Cor 15:57).

Are you looking forward to the return of Christ, so much so that you will actually LOVE His appearing? I heard about a man that had just enough religion that kept him from being happy at the bar, but not enough to be happy in the worship. That man may not Love His Appearing.

Will we LOVE His Appearing? When we speak about these things we need to be reminded that we can be sure about our salvation, and also beware of the possibility of falling. Here are 4 things that those that love His appearing can do today.

Those that love His Appearing are LOOKING, watching, and expecting His return any day. We wake with the expectation that He may return today, and keep watch over ourselves to be ready for that possibility.

“Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.” (Luke 12:37)

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matt 24:42).

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2Peter 3:10).

Those that love His Appearing are OBEYING His commandments. He will ask us on the judgement day, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)? Therefore, those that love His appearing are obeying His word.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods” (Matt 24:45-47).

“I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first” (Rev 2:19).

Those that love His Appearing are adding VIRTUE, Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godliness, Brotherly Kindness, and Love (2 Peter 1:5-11). Just as a mother looks to see growth in her child, so too our Lord. Therefore, the child of God is growing and maturing.

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb 5:12).

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1Peter 2:2).

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Eph 4:15).

Those that love His Appearing ENDURE Suffering & Temptation. While no suffering is joyful at the moment, we know that the world hated Christ before it hated us. Are we any better than the Master? (Matt 10:24)

“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10).

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt 10:22).

“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen” (2Peter 3:17).

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 5:15)

Friends, my plea as that we live in such a way that we shall Love His Appearing.

–Spencer

If you live in the Borger area and Would you like to know more about how to look forward to His return, let us know.