The Coming of the Lord: How Should We Live While We Wait for Jesus?

Jesus Christ is coming again. For Christians, the return of Jesus should not simply be something we debate, fear, or try to place on a timeline. It should change how we live today.

The Bible does not tell believers to spend their lives staring at the sky trying to determine when Jesus will return. We have work to do. We were created for a purpose. We have people to love, people to serve, people who need to hear about Jesus, and a God we were created to glorify.

The question is not only: When is Jesus coming back?

A much more personal question is: What should I be doing until He does?

Jesus Promised He Would Come Again

Before Jesus was crucified, He told His disciples that His departure would not be the end. In John 14:2–3, Jesus explained that He was going to prepare a place for His followers and that He would return.

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and many other witnesses. He later ascended into heaven. Acts records that as the disciples watched Him go, two angels told them:

“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” – Acts 1:11

The Christian hope is therefore not simply that the world will somehow get better. Our hope is in Jesus Christ.

• He came once as the promised Savior.
• He died for our sins.
• He rose from the dead.
• He ascended into heaven.

And Scripture teaches that He will come again.

When Will Jesus Return?

People have attempted to predict the return of Jesus for centuries. Jesus warned us against doing that.

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Matthew 24:36

That should immediately change our focus. If Jesus tells us we do not know the day or hour, our purpose is not to figure out a date God has not given us. Our responsibility is to be ready and remain faithful.

Jesus repeatedly taught His followers to watch, stay awake spiritually, and be prepared. The return of Christ should produce faithfulness—not obsession with predictions.

So What Should Christians Be Doing Right Now?

This is where the coming of the Lord becomes very personal. Suppose Jesus does return in our lifetime:

• How would you want Him to find you living?
• Would you want Him to find you consumed with money?
• Angry with everyone?
• Holding grudges?
• Ignoring people who need help?
• Too busy to pray?
• Ashamed to talk about Him?
• Living exactly like the world around you?
• Or would you want Him to find you faithfully doing what He asked you to do?

Waiting for Jesus is active, not passive. We are supposed to live for Him while we wait for Him.

Remember Who You Belong To

Long before the New Testament, God told Israel:

“for you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession.” – Deuteronomy 14:2 

In its original context, this verse was spoken specifically to Israel. God had set Israel apart as His covenant people. But notice how similar language appears in the New Testament when Peter speaks to believers in Christ:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…” 1 Peter 2:9

And Peter immediately tells us why:

“…that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

We belong to God. But being chosen by God is not an excuse to feel superior to other people. It gives us a responsibility. We have been called out of darkness so that our lives can point others toward the One who brought us into the light.

What Were We Created to Do?

Many people spend years asking: What is my purpose? They expect the answer to be a particular career, ministry, relationship, talent, or accomplishment. Those things can certainly become part of God’s work in our lives, but our biblical purpose goes much deeper.

1. We Were Created to Glorify God

Our lives ultimately belong to God. Paul writes:

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31 

That means glorifying God isn’t limited to church:

• It happens in your home.
• At work.
• At school.
• In your marriage.
• In your friendships.
• Online.
• When nobody is watching.
• And especially in the way you treat other people.

2. We Were Created to Do Good

Salvation is not something we earn by doing good things. We are saved by God’s grace through faith. But when God saves us, He does not intend for us to remain unchanged. Ephesians explains:

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” – Ephesians 2:10

Notice the order. We don’t do good works to make God save us. Because we belong to Him, our lives should begin by producing good things. Titus connects this directly with belonging to Christ. Jesus gave Himself to redeem and purify a people who are His own and who are “eager to do what is good.”

So while we wait for Jesus, there should be something happening in us:

• We should be becoming more generous.
• More forgiving.
• More patient.
• More compassionate.
• More willing to serve.
• More willing to stand for truth.
• More willing to help someone who cannot repay us.

3. We Were Created to Love God and Love People

Someone once asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest. His answer brought everything back to two things:

Love God. Love people.

Jesus said:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22:37

Then He said:

“‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:39

Sometimes we make following Jesus far more complicated than it needs to be. If we know Jesus is coming back, we should ask ourselves:

Am I loving God with my life? and Am I loving the people God has placed around me?

4. We Were Created to Tell Others About Jesus

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His followers a mission.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” – Matthew 28:19

Not everyone will preach from a pulpit. Not everyone will become a missionary. Not everyone will build a Christian website. But every believer can point someone toward Jesus:

• Sometimes that happens through a conversation.
• Sometimes through sharing your testimony.
• Sometimes through answering someone’s questions.
• Sometimes through inviting someone to church.
• Sometimes through helping someone who is hurting.
• And sometimes someone simply watches the way you live and eventually asks: Why are you different?

We should never forget that there are people around us who do not know Jesus. If we truly believe He is coming again, sharing the Gospel and how to be saved should matter to us.

Don’t Waste Your Life Waiting

There is an interesting moment immediately after Jesus ascends into heaven. The disciples are standing there looking up into the sky. Then the angels essentially ask them: Why are you standing here looking into the sky?

Jesus is coming back. But there was work to do. That lesson still applies. Christianity isn’t supposed to be:

Get saved → wait around → go to heaven.

What Are We Waiting For?

The Bible describes the return of Jesus as something believers can anticipate with hope.

Paul calls it:

“the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” – Titus 2:13

That phrase matters: The blessed hope. Christians are not simply waiting for catastrophe.

1. We are waiting for Christ.
2. We are waiting for the One who saved us.
3. We are waiting for evil and death not to have the final word.
4. We are waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
5. We are waiting for the day when faith becomes sight.

What Happens When Jesus Returns?

The New Testament gives us several truths about Christ’s return even though it does not give us a date.

Paul writes:

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven…” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16

He continues by explaining that believers will be gathered to the Lord and concludes:

“And so we will be with the Lord forever.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Then Paul says something important:

“Therefore encourage one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:18

Notice what Paul tells Christians to do with this teaching.

Encourage one another.

The return of Christ was meant to give believers hope.

Waiting Does Not Mean Doing Nothing

Imagine someone knows their employer is returning but has no idea when. The faithful worker does not stop working and stare out the window. The faithful worker continues doing what he was entrusted to do.

Jesus used similar illustrations when teaching about His return. We have been entrusted with something too.

• Time.
• Abilities.
• Resources.
• Relationships.
• Opportunities.
• And the Gospel.

The question is what we are doing with them.

Stay Awake Spiritually

Paul writes:

“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Spiritual sleep can happen slowly.

• Faith becomes routine.
• Prayer becomes occasional.
• The Bible stays closed.
• Church becomes optional.
• Sin becomes easier to excuse.

The things of the world begin occupying more of our hearts than the things of God. Being spiritually awake means remembering that this life is temporary and living accordingly. It means keeping our relationship with God alive.

Live Differently Because You Belong to Him

Following Jesus does not mean Christians will be perfect. We still fail. We still struggle. We still need grace every single day. But belonging to Jesus should gradually change us.

Our lives should begin looking different because our hearts are becoming different.

Jesus told His followers:

“You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5:14

The world should be able to see something of Christ through the people who claim to follow Him.

Not arrogance. Not self-righteousness. Not constant condemnation. But truth, compassion, humility, forgiveness, courage, generosity and love.

What If Jesus Came Back Today?

This question is not meant to frighten believers. It is meant to help us examine what matters.

If Jesus returned today:

• Is there someone you wish you had forgiven?
• Someone you wish you had told about Jesus?
• Someone you wish you had helped?
• A relationship you wish you had repaired?
• Something God has been asking you to let go of?
• Something good you keep saying you’ll do “someday”?

We don’t know when Jesus will return. We also don’t know how many ordinary days we personally have left.

So don’t wait for the perfect moment to start living for God.

Today is the moment you have been given.

While We Wait for Jesus

The Christian life is not supposed to be spent hiding from the world waiting for Jesus to rescue us from it. Jesus sent His followers into the world. Until He returns, we have a purpose:

• Love God.
• Love people.
• Do good.
• Forgive.
• Serve.
• Pray.
• Grow.
• Share the Gospel.
• Care for people who are hurting.
• Stand for truth.
• Use what God has given you.
• And live in a way that points people toward Jesus.

Our Hope Is Not in This World

1. Governments change.
2. Cultures change.
3. Economies change.
4. Technology changes.
5. Our bodies grow older.
6. People disappoint us.
7. Things we thought were permanent disappear.

Jesus does not.

That is why Christians ultimately do not place their hope in circumstances becoming perfect.

Our hope is in Christ.

Hebrews describes believers as people who are looking forward to something greater than what this temporary world can offer. And Revelation ends the Bible with a promise from Jesus:

“Yes, I am coming soon.” – Revelation 22:20

The response is simple: Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Until that day, we have work to do.

Don’t Just Wait for Jesus. Live for Him.

Maybe the better question isn’t: “When is Jesus coming back?”

Maybe it is: “If I believe Jesus is coming back, how should that change the way I live today?”

God has given you this life for a reason. You belong to Him. You were created to know Him, glorify Him, love others, do good, and help others find the same hope you have found in Jesus Christ.

So don’t waste today worrying about a date God hasn’t revealed. Live faithfully with the time He has given you.

Jesus is coming again. Until then:

Be ready. Be faithful. Love people. Serve God. Share Jesus. And keep your hope in Him.

Continue Exploring Your Faith

Want to understand more about Jesus, salvation, and what it means to follow Him? Continue with:

Who Is Jesus? → Is Jesus Real? → What Is Salvation? → Salvation Prayer → Simple Ways to Serve God