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Dec 17, 2025 06:00am

What Will Jesus Find When He Returns?

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It was every parent’s worst nightmare. They had left their teenager at home for one night, and they came home early to a complete mess.

Their last words as they loaded into their car were, “No parties.”

But it was evident what had happened. Remnants of the night before littered their once-clean and orderly home. They were in shock. They had raised their son better than this. They had taught him to be respectful and responsible. They had never had much trouble out of him. Why would he do something like this?

This is what came to my mind as I was reading this morning about Paul and his letter to the Corinthians. He had planted the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey. But this city was full of idol worship—its culture steeped in sinful and wicked practices. The cultural influence was strong.

Paul had left them with instructions on how to follow Christ faithfully. The people of the church were called to be set apart from the world, and yet, reports were coming in about the behavior of the so-called believers.

2 Corinthians 12:20–21

“For I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior. Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.”

Paul deeply loved these people. He desired for them to follow Christ and imitate the example he had shown them. He was like a heartbroken parent coming home to a destroyed house after their son had disobeyed them and thrown a wild party.

I often think about the moment Jesus returns. What will I be doing, and where will I be?

Our Heavenly Father gave us instructions too and said He would return. What will He find when He does?

Paul longed to see the Corinthians turn from their sinful lives and follow Jesus. My heart’s desire is to see you walking with Christ as well. Maybe you need some help seeing how to do that. Go to follow.lifeword.org to see what it means to walk with Christ every day and have Him lead the way.