As we are clarifying what it means to be a follower of Jesus in this 40 Day Challenge, we have to digest a challenging passage from the Bible. Read Matthew 25: 31 – 40.
Many Christians have become so absorbed in doctrinal correctness, developing ministry, building a church and chasing success that they have missed the truth which this passage expounds; the simple expression of love to all that demonstrates the love of God.
While it’s appropriate for churches to have programmes and structures to feed the poor, visit the sick, clothe the destitute, house the homeless, counsel those in debt and bind the wounds of the brokenhearted, it is not the church that Jesus is talking about in this passage – it’s you and me!
You have a special place in my Father’s heart.
You have a special place in my Father’s heart. Come and experience the full inheritance of the kingdom realm that has been destined for you from before the foundation of the world. When you cared for one of the least of these, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for Me. (Matthew 25:40)
Faith without the expression of good works is dead! (James 2: 26)
We are a recreated people that will fulfill the destiny He has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the anointed one. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it! (Ephesians 2: 10)
Doing ‘good stuff’ is not how we earn acceptance with God, but if we have an authentic relationship with God than these things will inevitably occur as an outflow of that intimacy.
This is not about ‘social outreach’, charitable action, neighborhood evangelism or ‘doing our Christian duty’. Nor is it about sitting on our theological laurels just because we think we’ve got the ticket to Heaven.
It is about being intimately related to the personification of love and reflecting Him in our world. When that is authentic and constant the overflow of it will be to love on all – that’s where the good works come in and from!
It’s also clear that there are eternal ramifications to what we do and why we do it. (Please note this is a reference to ‘rewards’ not salvation).
