The Bible calls the anticipation of resurrection “that blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). When we anticipate something, we not only wait for it, but we also prepare for it. The fruit of this hope of resurrection is the changes that will manifest themselves in our day-to-day living.
We purify ourselves in thought, word, and deed.
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:3).
This means the determined and deliberate elimination of all sin from our lives.
We endeavor to live with others in peace and to be blameless in our own conduct.
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14).
We learn to deny ourselves in order to develop practical righteousness.
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:11-13).
If we really hope to pull up anchor very soon, we will not at the same time become entangled in the things of this world.
We forget the past and press toward our goal in Christ.
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead ….Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:10, 11,13,14).
We do not let the past condemn us or lull us into self- reliance. We keep our eyes on the goal.
We comfort and build up each other.
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11).
As the day approaches, we will need more and more encouragement. Outside pressures will increase before the coming of the Lord. We will need each other all the more.