Expect Him Live Holy
What if holiness isn’t produced by pressure… but by anticipation? When we eagerly expect the return of Jesus, something shifts inside us. It’s not fear. It’s not an obsession with timelines. It’s love. And love produces purity. This conversation explores how living with eternity in view changes how you think, speak, lead, parent, and love. When your heart is fixed on His return, holiness stops being forced — and starts being natural.
For many believers, the word "holiness" feels like a weight. We often treat it as a grueling marathon of self-discipline, a constant battle of the will where we try to force our behavior to match a divine standard. We feel the pressure to perform, and when we inevitably stumble, we feel the crushing blow of shame.
But what if we have been approaching holiness from the wrong direction? What if purity isn't something produced by pressure, but something birthed through anticipation?
The true catalyst for a transformed life isn't found in a list of rules, but in the eager expectation of a Person. When our hearts are truly fixed on the return of Jesus, holiness stops being a chore and starts becoming our natural response.
The Power of a Fixed Gaze
The way you live today is dictated by what you expect to happen tomorrow. If you knew a guest of high honor was arriving at your home in an hour, your behavior would instantly shift. You wouldn't be cleaning the floors out of a sense of legalistic obligation; you would be preparing the space out of honor and excitement.
Living with an eternal perspective functions the same way. When we lose sight of the fact that Jesus is coming back, we begin to drift. We become short-sighted, consumed by the temporary stresses of this world, and prone to the "quiet compromises" that slowly erode our character.
> "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." — 1 John 3:2-3
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Love Over Timelines
Many people associate the return of Christ with fear or a frantic obsession with end-times timelines. They spend their energy deciphering charts and debating symbols, often missing the heartbeat of the message. The goal of biblical prophecy isn't to make us experts in information, but to make us lovers of the King.
The holiness that comes from expecting Him isn't rooted in a "security camera" mentality—the idea that we better be good because God is watching. Instead, it is rooted in love.
When you are deeply in love with someone and expecting their arrival, you naturally want to be the best version of yourself for them. Love produces a purity that pressure never could. Anticipation shifts the focus from "What am I allowed to do?" to "What honors the One I love?"
Holiness in the Mundane
Watching for His return changes the way you navigate the "small" moments of leadership, parenting, and work. It provides a lens of eternity that clarifies every decision.
When you lead with eternity in view, you stop seeing people as tools to get a job done and start seeing them as eternal beings. When you parent with the return of Christ in mind, your goal shifts from raising "well-behaved kids" to preparing disciples who know their King.
Purity is a byproduct of proximity. The closer you feel to the moment of His return, the less appealing the distractions of this world become. The "treasures" of this earth lose their luster when compared to the weight of glory that is coming.
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From Forced to Flowing
If you find yourself struggling with a recurring sin or a stagnant spiritual life, the answer may not be "try harder." The answer may be to look higher.
Religiosity tries to scrub the outside of the cup through sheer willpower. True kingdom living allows the heart to be captivated by the beauty and the imminence of Jesus. When your heart is full of the hope of His appearing, the "old self" begins to fall away because it simply doesn't fit where you are going.
We aren't just waiting for an event; we are waiting for a Person. We aren't just avoiding bad habits; we are preparing for a Wedding.
A Daily Decision to Look Up
As you move through this week, challenge yourself to become "eternally minded." Before you enter a difficult meeting, before you react to a frustrating situation, and before you engage with entertainment, take a moment to realize: He is coming.
This isn't a thought to induce anxiety, but to provide anchor and aim. Let the joy of His return fuel your pursuit of purity. Let the reality of His presence change the way you speak, think, and lead.
Expect Him. Not just eventually, but eagerly. When your gaze is fixed on the King, you will find that living a holy life isn't just possible—it’s the most natural thing in the world.
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