Living in the Shadow of Jesus' Return - C#
Many people will be surprised when Jesus' returns, but none will be mistaken. ~ anon
Either wittingly or unwittingly each soul lives under the final countdown.
As we close this brief series Living in the Shadow of Jesus' Return, two things must be noted:
- we each need a soft heart to hard truths, and
- hard words are still true words.
Our responses as Christians carry only two outcomes - we either stand strong or fall long.
There are two kinds of Christians; those who sincerely believe in God and those who, just as sincerely, believe they believe. You can tell them apart by their actions in decisive moments. ~ Richard Wurmbrand
At the heart of Jesus' parable in Matthew 25:31-46 is His teaching on two classes of people. This is the climax of history - judgement day. There is no middle-ground.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. (Matthew 25:35-39)
Jesus explains to His disciples that which His half-brother James would also later teach ... faith without works is dead.
The righteous are those who lived from their salvation. The evidence is reckoned by Jesus in:
- feeding the hungry
- giving drink to the thirsty
- offering hospitality to the stranger
- clothing the naked
- caring for the sick, and
- visiting those in prison.
Faithfulness and humility completes these small things for those who are the lost, the least, the last and the lonely to the world.
Christian faithfulness becomes the hands and the feet of Jesus to those distressed and troubled. This work is unseen, yet the Lord honors humility.
Jesus declares the importance of those this world doesn't. It is the faithful who Jesus places on His right at His return. This is the position of favor.
However, this parable declares too the forever unpopular detail for those who have held the hands of Jesus only later to lock them in their pockets.
Neglect of the Lord's work is as culpable as good deeds for Him are certainly rewarded. Both are observed.
Eternal punishment arrives for those who have not served. There is no retirement in faith.
Daily each believer still exacts a choice between the heavenly and the earthly, the temporary or the eternal, and the incomplete or the complete.
The work of God's grace is evident here, remain true to the good Lord with all your heart and the guidance of His word... continue in the grace of God. (Acts 11:23, 14:23)
The imminent return of the Lord is the great Bible argument for a pure, unselfish, devoted, unworldly active life of service. ~ Richard Torrey
Salvation cannot be earned, but it does have to be kept.
#ENJOY too - Living in the Shadow of Jesus' Return ~ A, & Living in the Shadow of Jesus' Return ~ B
Today's Soul Snippet:
'God shapes the world by prayer.' ~ E.M. Bounds
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