Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
There are Christians who are content with the blessings of life that they believe the Lord has granted them. They appreciate their knowledge of God and of His truth. They love their fellowship in their church. They are thankful for their knowledge of the gospel, the hope they have in this dark world, and the meaning that their faith has brought into their lives.
They also appreciate the economic abundance that they are privileged to enjoy. They look forward to the second coming of Jesus, and are content to leave the time of His coming to His mysterious providences. They do not try to define the word "near" with reference to the second advent; they are not concerned whether "near" means in their lifetime or in some future generation. There is always the first resurrection they look forward to. Thanking God, they feel rich and increased with goods. Satisfied.
Then there are other Christians who are deeply concerned about that word "near." Their hearts are burdened for the pain and sorrow that is so widespread, and ever more so, in our world. They are constantly burdened with the last prayer of the Bible, its very last words, "Even so, come Lord Jesus"! They cannot be truly happy until He does come.
They want to "hasten" His coming in any way the Lord can permit them to help. They feel deeply concerned if somehow His people have delayed His coming and thus inadvertently have prolonged the suffering of many people worldwide. They know the deep consciousness that the suffering of unfortunate people is felt by Christ, even today, and they sympathize with Him in the burden He must feel.
These people sense in a particular way a "constraint" of the love of Christ, moving them to dedicate their entire lives to ministry of some kind through the leading of the Holy Spirit. They want to follow the Lamb (the crucified Christ) wherever He goes. Where are you?
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 7, 2005.
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