There is a very palpable tension when we harken back to the first coming of Christ, because then we long for the second. In this passage, that tension is clear. Both advents of Christ are listed within one section of Scripture; the then and the not yet. What then do we do with this tension? Are we to remain immobile? Do we simply pine away the hours until we see Christ descending back to earth? No. This should not be the response of His Church. That response is simple escapism and helps nothing on this earth in the here and now. The mysterious and miraculous incarnation of Christ is not to be simply celebrated, but lived into. The first 5 verses in this passage are not simply descriptions of Christ, but also a map we are to follow as to the way in which we should live our lives on earth. We too should seek to be full of the Spirit, we too should judge righteously. This is how we can understand the full ramifications of the incarnation for the Church- Christus Examplar- Christ our Example. His life is what we are to exemplify. Living full of His Spirit is how we are to respond to the advent and live in the tension. This incarnational lifestyle is how we are to draw unbelievers into belief. This incarnational lifestyle is the major role the advent plays into our lives. The more we live into the incarnation, the quicker His second coming will come. We are not to be inactive, but rather proactive in our response to the advent of Christ. Will we choose to do so? Will you? Ask the Spirit to give you the desire and then the ability to surrender to the Spirit so that He can empower you to live an incarnational response to the advent of Christ.
Prayer-
Spirit of the Living God, fill me to overflowing. Empower me. Enliven me. May I respond to the miraculous incarnation, by being a miraculous incarnation of Christ to this world. I need you to take control and give me the ability to do this, for I cannot on my own. Amen.
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