Unfortunately, this has become a prevalent mentality among some Christians of the Left Behind generation, but it is misguided. Look again, for example, at the parable Jesus gave. Before he left, Christ gave us assigned tasks. Feed the hungry, he said. Give drink to the thirsty. Give shelter to the stranger. Clothing to the naked. Care to the sick. Company to the imprisoned. (Matthew 25:34-36) We have received our tasks; what if Christ returns and all is in shambles? What if we have fallen asleep without feeding or sheltering or visiting? What if we neglect the tasks we have been given?
Society at large, not just individual Christians, would do well to ask itself the same questions. God speaks to society, not just individuals. Addressing the people of Judah through the prophet Zechariah, the Lord declared, "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other." (Zechariah 9:8) Similarly, God condemned the rulers of Judah, saying, "Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them." (Isaiah 1:23) Over and over again, God commands rulers and their people to seek justice and peace.
In modern America, everyone has the opportunity to participate in a democratic government and all of us participate in the formation of culture. We all have a role to play in helping those who are the least fortunate. The fact that Christ will come again is no excuse for abandoning political engagement or cultural involvement. To the contrary! It gives us every reason to redouble our efforts, so that when Christ appears we will be found faithfully carrying out the tasks that he has assigned to us. Christ's impending return should not give rise to a spirit of fatalism; it is not an excuse for withdrawal or retreat from cultural engagement. Rather, it should offer added motivation to eagerly carry out our assigned tasks.
Carl F. H. Henry expressed this point beautifully when he said, "Not until God brings down the curtain on history do we have the prerogative of abandoning it to final destruction and doom." There is always something we can do to further the cause of justice in our society. There are innumerable ways in which we can show our love for Christ by reaching out to the poor, oppressed and downtrodden.
Therefore, this Christmas season, let us not forget Advent. Advent is the perfect time to take stock of our lives, checking to see whether we are carrying out the tasks that Christ has given us, or whether we have fallen asleep. Again and again we must remind ourselves: "Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come."