How Should We Occupy Ourselves

As Christians, just how should we be living our lives?  I know we are supposed to be in the world but not of the world (John 15:18,20) but what does that really mean?  If I look at my life I wonder if it looks any different than a nonbeliever's life. Ok, maybe church attendance and Bible study look different - and maybe prayer before meals out in public - but that's probably all that  actually looks different. I still watch TV, go to the movies, shopping and restaurants. I live in a nice home with LOTS of stuff, two cars and a closet FULL of clothes. 

 What is it Jesus wants to come back and find his bride doing?  The following is from a blog by Mike Livingstone that outlines very well how we should be occupying our time: 

1. LIVE IN THE LIGHT OF HIS FIRST COMING.

Do you want to be prepared for Jesus’ second coming? Then live like His first coming mattered.

Jesus spoke parables about His return. In Luke 19:11-27, He told about a nobleman who traveled to a far country to become king. This nobleman called ten of his servants, gave them each a mina (coin), and told them: “engage in my business until I come back” (v. 13). After an unspecified duration of time, the nobleman returned as king and summoned his servants to give an account of their faithfulness. The first two servants had been productive with what was entrusted to them. But another servant had done nothing. He simply wrapped his mina in a cloth and hid it. His mistake was that he didn’t act on what he professed to believe. He professed something about his master but didn’t live by his profession, and lost his reward (vv. 21-23).

Those who profess Christ as Lord and live according to their profession will receive great reward when Jesus returns.

2. BE DISCERNING.

Twice in Mark 13 Jesus warned His disciples not to be led astray by false claim: “Watch out that no one deceives you… false prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, the elect” (vv. 5-6,21-22). Paul warned, “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him…. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way” (2 Thess. 2:1-3).

The warning of Scripture is consistent: use discernment in listening to those who claim to have all the details of the end times figured out, and ignore those who resort to date setting end time events.

Unfortunately many Christians are not watchful nor are they discerning and so they are duped over and over by false teachers, so-called prophets and false preachers. They read "Biblical" books, watch "Christian" movies and TV shows, listen to "Christian" music and think they are filling their heads with good things. Trouble is Jesus specifically warned his flock about this and so we should be wary of being deceived by being like a Berean and checking things out carefully. Not all things that appear good actually are. 

 
3. ACCEPT THE UNCERTAINTIES.

“Now concerning that day or hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven nor the Son​—but only the Father. Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming” (Mark 13:32-33). If Jesus was content not to know the day or hour, then let’s stop speculating about it. Be content with “no one knows … only the Father.”

Going along with #3 and leading into #4, we are also told to pray for the return of our Lord (Rev. 22:20-21). When we remember and focus on his return, it reminds us what our purpose here on earth really is. 

4. DON’T LOSE HOPE.

Paul reminded Titus that Jesus’ first coming brought salvation and it instructs us how to live “sensible, righteous, and godly” lives in this present age. It is our “blessed hope”—the expectation of Jesus’ return—that compels us to do so (Titus 2:11-13).

5. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER.

The promise that “the Lord will descend from heaven with a shout” in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 is followed by a command: “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18). Again, the affirmation that “the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:2) is followed by the exhortation: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (v. 11).

Scripture’s teachings about the second coming are not given to satisfy our personal fascination with future events but that the body of Christ might encourage one another with the promises.  AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!

6. LIVE AS IF TODAY WAS THE DAY.

If we’re not careful, the delay in Jesus’ return will lead us to complacency. Living in the expectation that He could return today compels us to live every day for what really matters—for eternity.

7. KEEP ON DOING THE WORK JESUS LEFT US TO DO.

Jesus warned of troubling events as we near the end of the age, including persecution of believers (Mark 13:7-9). Then He added that nothing—not even persecution—should distract us from the one necessary thing: preach to the gospel to all nations (v. 10).

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave the church its marching orders: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The very next verses report that the disciples just stood there looking up into the sky. Two angels appeared and spoke the words the church today needs to hear: Why are you standing there gazing into heaven? Jesus is coming back the same way you saw him go (vv. 9-11). In other words, get moving!

I would only add what should be the obvious to this list - being in the word daily along with a healthy prayer life. Abiding in Christ is the Christian's lifeline from which all else will flow.