Every day the world is moving further and further away from God. It is from this darkened world God has called us. As a united church, we are to be a watchman, warning the world of God's coming judgment and preaching the good news of His coming Kingdom. As individuals, we are to be witnesses, showing God's way of life in action and being bright lights set on a hill.

So how do we keep our high calling in the forefront of our minds? In this fast-paced world, Satan wants us to become distracted and not have time for God. Prophecy tells us that the time is coming when some of God's people will not have the sense of urgency they need (Matthew 24:48-51). What must we do to maintain this sense of urgency—both for proclaiming God's Kingdom and preparing for it in our daily lives?

Remember Our First Love

We can remember when we first responded to the Father's calling. We remember how excited we were, and how many of us tried to convert others! We couldn't get enough of God's Word, as we learned more and more. Then a year passed…Then two…Then three. As time passed, it seemed the new truth became old hat.

Christ scolded the church at Ephesus because they left their first love of the truth (Revelation 2:4). Have we left our first love? After 10, 20, 30 or more years knowing God's truth, we can take it for granted and not realize how much we still need God. This is partly what happened to the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:14-18). Christ encouraged them to repent and become zealous again (verse 19)!

Paul describes how ancient Israel was "baptized" and taught by God. Yet even with that knowledge they tempted Him, complained and got caught up in the ways of the nations around them. God was not pleased with most of them because of this, and their example is recorded for our learning.

Paul concludes this passage admonishing us, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:1-12). If we neglect our Bible study and prayer, we will not find favor with God, just like ancient Israel.

We understand that ancient Israel did not have God's Holy Spirit, and that is why they could not keep the spiritual intent of God's laws. It is through God's Spirit we can take heed and rekindle our first love!

Stir Up God's Spirit

Paul encourages us to stir up the Holy Spirit and not quench it (2 Timothy 1:6-7; 1 Thessalonians. 5:19). By learning to use and yield to God's Spirit, we will stay focused on God and the need for His Kingdom. But we will quench God's Spirit by not applying it or letting it guide us (John 16:13).

Christ emphasizes this point in the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Five of the virgins stirred up God's Spirit, symbolized by lamp oil. Throughout their lives they let God's Spirit help them grow. The other five were quenching God's Spirit by lack of use.

The five foolish virgins did not prepare enough and were not ready when Christ returned. Although they did try to rekindle God's Spirit, it was too little, too late.

So how do we stir up God's Spirit? First and foremost, we must ask the Father to fill us with it (Luke 11:13; Ephesians 5:18). When we ask for God's Spirit, our prayers must be sincere, not mere words. By fasting and prayer we draw closer to God (Isaiah 58:6-9; Matthew 17:21). If our motives are right, God will honor our requests. But with more of God's gifts, more action and humility is required on our part (Luke 12:48).

In the book of Acts we read about a man named Apollos. He understood the Scriptures well, even though he only knew the baptism of John. With this limited understanding he was still zealous in teaching others. Later as he learned more about Christ, he was able to use God's Spirit to teach even more powerfully (Acts 18:24-28).

How well can we teach God's Word to others? Can we refute popular teachings? Are we able to give an answer to those who ask (1 Peter 3:15)? This ability to give an answer comes by studying God's Word and letting God's Holy Spirit guide us. Let's not forget that without God's Spirit, we cannot please Him (Romans 8:6-9). The more God is pleased with us, the more His Spirit will work in us. We need to stir up the Holy Spirit so God can use each of us more powerfully!

Be Diligent

King Solomon said a lot about diligence. He said that the diligent will rule, and will stand before kings (Proverbs 12:24; 22:29). We are destined to rule, and we all want to stand before the King of Kings! So diligence must be a part of our lives.

The New Testament also encourages us to be diligent. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 6:11 encourages us to show diligence until the end. Hebrews 12:15 tells us to look carefully (diligently) or we will fall short of God's grace.

Peter, too, teaches diligence. He tells us to be diligent to be found spotless and blameless before God, and to diligently build upon our spiritual foundations (2 Peter 3:14; 1:5-10).

Being a Christian requires work! How much effort are we putting into that work? We spend a lot of our time taking care of our physical needs. How much time to do we spend taking care of our spiritual needs?

We know very well Christ's words, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). Are these mere words, or a call to action? What is more urgent—wearing the latest fashions or being clothed in righteousness? Our actions tell the answer.

Christ used the parable of the talents to illustrate the need for diligence (Matthew 25:14-30). Two of the three servants diligently worked and increased what was given to them. The other one put forth no effort at all.

God has given each of us the truth, as well as natural and spiritual abilities. We must put forth the diligence to increase these gifts. As shown in the parable, the servants' diligence was rewarded, not their ability. God is looking at what we do with our talents, not how many we have.

Remember the widow's two mites (Luke 21:1-4)? For offerings the rich gave from their abundance, but the widow gave all she had. The widow understood her need for God, and the need for God's work to be done. She was wholehearted, whereas the rich did not really sacrifice. Who do you think was blessed more?

God does not want us to do just what is required. He wants us to go above and beyond, like the widow (Luke 17:10). Without diligence we cannot grow, and will not have the urgency we need.

Stay Committed

In Luke 9:62 Christ says, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Christ also tells us to remember Lot's wife (Luke 17:32). She didn't want to leave the society she lived in. How about us? Do we want God's Kingdom now, or do we want it to wait several years so we can enjoy our lifestyle now? The more committed we are, the more we will see the need for and pray more earnestly for God's Kingdom!

Paul encourages us in Galatians 6:9, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Those of us who have been in the Church over 20 years can remember Herbert Armstrong comparing our Christian lives to a race. He kept encouraging us that Christ's return was near. But some of God's people got discouraged and left. They did not endure to the end. They lost heart. When they found out there were more laps to run, they quit.

Paul, too, likened our calling to a race—a race of endurance. Paul said we must run our race with discipline, being focused on the prize. We must put our whole mind and body in subjection toward that lofty goal (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Let's not forget, the prize we are seeking is eternal life in God's Kingdom! Christ tells us, "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown" (Revelation 3:11). God has reserved a crown of righteousness for each of us. God will not quit on us, but we can quit on ourselves if we don't stay committed.

If we have accepted God's calling, then we simply cannot look back! We are committed now. God is judging us now, and if we willfully reject His calling we are in danger of losing our eternal life (1 Peter 4:17; Hebrews 10:26-27).

Of course that is what Satan wants us to do, give up! And he will do anything he can to try to make us lose our reward (1 Peter 5:8). So how do we stay committed with Satan and society attacking us?

Being together with our fellow saints is an important way to stay committed. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:23-25).

The more we are with God's people, the more encouraged and committed we will become. When we stay home and do not interact with others, we can easily get distracted and drift away. And once we are on the path of distractions, it is only a matter of time before we neglect our calling and quench God's Holy Spirit in us (Hebrews 2:1-3).

Watching world events helps us stay committed. We don't have to look far to see how the world is falling apart around us. Now is not the time to be separated from God! As we see the results of Satan's present rule of the earth, we should more urgently pray, "Your kingdom come!"

God takes special notice of those who yearn for His Kingdom. In Ezekiel 9:4 God tells His angel to "put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done…" Do you and I have God's mark on us? Do we really understand how much the world needs God? The more we understand, the more committed we will be.

Be Ready

Paul admonishes us, "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11). And, "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away…How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…?" (Hebrews 2:1-3).

The parable of the faithful and evil servants illustrates our need to always be ready. The evil servant thought that Christ was delaying His coming and got caught up in the ways of the world. Because of his neglect, he was caught off guard when Christ returned. That servant lost his reward because he wasn't ready (Matthew 24:48-51).

Notice Christ's words about the faithful servant: "Who then is a faithful and wise servant…? Blessed is that servant whom his master [Christ], when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods" (Matthew 24:45-47). Are we faithful servants?

During his ministry Paul did not think he had already attained salvation. He understood the need to stay focused on God's calling (Philippians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 9:27). Yet when Paul realized his life was almost over, he knew that he had endured and finished his race. He knew he would receive his crown of righteousness, along with all the other faithful saints (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Like Paul, we must endure until the end or until our dying day (Mark 13:13).

What if you or I died tomorrow? Would we be confident that we would be in the first resurrection? Whether we die at 20 or 100, we will be with Christ at our next thought if we are faithful to the end.

Yes, we must maintain a sense of urgency and work out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12-13). Much has been given to each of us, and much is required. If we do nothing with the truth God has given us, He will take it away. But if we are diligent and continue to grow spiritually, God will make us rulers for all eternity.

As Peter encourages us, "Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:10-11).

Let's keep our sense of urgency so we can enter that everlasting Kingdom of God! UN