Baaa or Bleat!

James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, Go in peace, be warmed and filled, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples concerning the end of the world reach its final peak with this last parable in Matthew 25:31-46. There is no doubt about the scene here the “wait” is over as the Son of Man “comes in His glory” and “all the nations” are gathered before Him. Now we see a separation takes place, as the sheep are divided from the goats. The basis on which this momentous decision is made concerns our human behavior; whether the hungry were fed and cared for, the lonely given shelter and friendship or the sick and prisoners visited. At the last judgment, God is going to look for a faith that has been worked out and lived out. To the astonished reaction of the righteous, who were simply unaware of serving our Lord when doing what came naturally to them, He replies that in serving the least of these brothers of mine you did it for Me.

Several different views of “brothers of mine” have and will continue to be debated. Some say it was only the disciples this was speaking of, so that evidence of belonging to the Kingdom is found in the response made only to believers. But, what we see in the scene at the beginning of the story involving all the nations and the teaching of Jesus that becoming like the heavenly Father means we are to mirror His love for all including enemies, suggest a much wider and broader idea of God’s grace.

Although, there is a clear division as those who failed to show mercy and compassion are told to depart into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Look at what is said here: God desires the salvation of all people and provides for their deliverance; those who close their hearts to His love and persist in evil and selfishness chose a destiny that was not intended for them.

Please prayerfully consider what a lived out faith with every thought captive to Jesus would look like on your job, in the grocery store, out on the street in every area of your life might mean for you.

Lord Jesus as I think of Your love, Your mercy and grace for us, help us to love and have Your gracious mercy for others as You do. Then Lord help us to put Your love, mercy and grace into practical everyday actions wherever we might find the opportunity. Please stir our heart anew Lord with the desire to serve You as we serve others. Amen

In His Love,
Sandy Perry
05/07/09