If Jesus Returned

The New Testament shares the idea of Jesus' return to His Church. "He is coming for His bride and church without spot blemish or wrinkle." I have been grappling with these themes for the past few weeks. As I shared previously, the early disciples and apostles felt that Jesus was going to return in their time. This served as a motivation to live with a sense of urgency. The whole idea is that Jesus is returning and will hold individuals accountable for the work done or undone.

If Jesus would return today as I look at my ministry, my business, my personal affairs, I realize that I would find my "review" would not be that great. Matter of fact it would be lacking. That is not to say that there is anything wrong, or there are moral infractions, it is just that I know I am not maximizing my talents, gifts and abilities and fully expressing the Father in my life. As I so often say, "if our life does not look like the covenant then there is something wrong."

If you would have a "review" or "assessment" today from Jesus what do you think will be your result? The first thing many will say is thank God for the grace of God. Grace is his unmerited favor and help. Many say, "God understands my heart." But the reality is that God does not understand our heart and we should be trying to understand His heart. Grace is never an excuse for leaving the work of the Lord undone and us not maximizing all of our talents gifts and abilities.

My friends, God is calling us to a higher standard in our lives. I spend six years in the US Army (4 Active and 2 reserve) and I realize that the during that time I lived at the highest standards a person could live. I stretched as a human being and did the impossible. The standards of personal conduct, dress and knowledge of my speciality were all at the highest. I just realized that a lot of my frustration has come in my life is when I place my personal standards others around me. It seems that most people are content remaining where they are without growing or stretching as a human being and good enough is good enough. What has become a revelation to my life is that I have surrounded myself with people who are dedicated, committed, and sincere but they do not have high enough standards. Good enough for many of them are good enough. Even though they may never say this, they live their life in a state of the mundanes and mediocrity or worst than that at the level of just above average. I have been frustrated and dealing with the downward pull of gravity of people who are just content being part of the herd.

When one lives by a higher standard they do not make excuses or give reasons for why something is not done. They simply do it. When one lives by a higher standard they do not need to be motivated by others, they are self motivated. When one lives by a higher standard, they are not always late and making excuses about their time, but they value time and honor other's time. When one lives by a higher standard they make things happen! They are not talkers, but doers. When one lives by a higher standard they are accountable for their lives in every aspect. When one lives by a higher standard they do not need anyone to wake them up! They know their life has a purpose.

What is your standard? If Jesus returned today would you hear well done, or depart from me?

Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life! (This is a standard)

Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, Illinois and Los Angeles, California