"...I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
The Hope of the Lord's return in an eminently practical hope. The sober realization of His coming will transform our lives. "As workmen are moved to be more diligent in service when they hear their master's footfall, so, doubtless, saints are quickened in their devotion when they are conscious that He whom they worship is drawing near" (Spurgeon).
There are five distinct references to the Lord's return in 1 Thessalonians, and in each instance the confident assurance of this Hope acts as an antidote, a remedy, for failure and faintness in the life of the expectant believer. The Christian who is expecting the Lord has no room in his life for:
Idols in his heart--"ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven,...even Jesus" (1 Thess. 1:9-10)
Slackness in his service--"For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God...For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (1 Thess. 2:9,19)
Division in his fellowship--"The Lord make you increase and abound in love one toward another...To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming or our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints" (1 Thess. 3:12-13)
Depression in his mind--"Wherefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thess. 4:18)
Sin in his life--"...I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thess. 5:23)
"Occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13)
--this devotional by Dr. James B. Crichton