By: The Rev. Christopher Leighton
The need to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus Christ can become very specific. It has been said that sometimes a preacher “moves from preaching to meddling”. God’s Holy Spirit spoke through John with detailed actions to be taken. If we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ, we must “produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8).
It seems our nation has been overshadowed with darkness. There is so much frustration and yearning for solutions. If only the right people were in political power… If only the economy was better… If only our military was put to better use… But the real need for our nation is for Americans to return to God. What we don’t need is a “flash in the pan” revival that ends with no one producing fruit. Fruit is produced in reformation that lasts for lifetimes, and creates a culture of life that is passed on from generation to generation. What would it look like if, as a people, we were to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance”? A culture of life, one in which the strong look after and provide for the weak, would be built. Light will overtake darkness as the Lord Jesus shines forth through His people.
Paul writes, “…the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5-7).