Judgment Day

Matthew 25:31-46…

When Jesus returns, He will be revealed as King, and act as judge. When Jesus speaks of the nations, He is not saying that part of what people will be judged by is their culture. He is simply pointing out that all the people who are alive when He returns will be assembled.

He had spoken of those who are wise while waiting (Matthew 25:1-13), and then of those who are wise by working (Matthew 25:14-30). Now He speaks of those who are wise through well-doing. He is speaking of helping others, especially fellow believers (cf. Galatians 6:10).

To be this way is costly, risky, and unpopular, but it is also living the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). It was how the early believers were supposed to go about it then (Hebrews 10:34), and how we are to look at it now (Hebrews 13:3), even though Jesus is speaking of the future.

Helping other Christians in need is doing right by Jesus. Avoiding Christians in need is doing wrong by Jesus (cf. James 2:14-17). Remember, we are the body of Christ, one with Jesus and one with each other (Romans 12:4-5 / 1 Corinthians 6:17, 12:12-27 / Ephesians 4:25).

Clearly this passage is about “social justice” in the sense that it is about caring for the needy. But the needy in view are fellow Christians. “The least of these” doesn’t mean that the Church’s responsibility is to meet the needs of all the poor. While we must not be indifferent to people who have real needs, this passage cannot be legitimately used as a general cover for anything and everything we want to promote under the banner of social justice.

The reaction of both the sheep and the goats to the Lord’s words is one of stunned surprise. In this we can see that for Christians, humility, holiness, and helping are linked. Conversely, as Jesus has been pointing out, you cannot withdraw from preparation, or productivity, or people, and think that is the Christian response. You will either have the inescapable evidence of salvation, or you will not escape the inevitable judgment. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Don’t waste His wealth

Matthew 25:14-30…

Jesus had just spoken of those who are wise while waiting, and now He speaks of those who are wise by working. The talents being spoken of here are not aptitudes or abilities, but opportunities. A talent was a sum of money or goods, and these had been entrusted by the master to be used for his benefit. We apply this story to us by understanding that we should make the most of our opportunities for God (1 Corinthians 10:31).  

The notion that wealth should be dispensed “from each according to his ability” is contradicted by Jesus, who said wealth would be given “to each according to his ability.” It is okay to be blessed, and their charge was to make use of their opportunity, being responsible for what they had been given.

When the master returned, he sent for the servants to give an account. One did very well, doubling his five talents to ten. Another also did well, doubling his two talents to four. Both made full use of their opportunities and were rewarded for their faithfulness.

A third servant had no increase because there was no investment. He gained nothing because he risked nothing. He had a long time to use what he had been given, and so in a sense lost money that could have been earned. This third servant wanted to do things on his own terms. He did not want to deal with the responsibility given him. He saw this as a burden instead of a blessing.

How many people withdraw instead of engage and invest. They have been given much, but they risk little. They don’t want to deal with the responsibility they have been given. They want to live their own lives instead of using the opportunities God has given them. They think it a chance for worry instead of a chance for worship. It is all about themselves and their comfort.

We won’t always do as we should, but we can thank God for His mercy and grace. We don’t always make the most of things, but we must make an effort to engage. Things won’t always turn out the way we want when we get involved, but we have no right to simply withdraw. That’s not wise, that’s wicked. Those who withdraw are not entering into the joy of the Master. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Dealing with Sinful Desires

When dealing with a sinful desire, you might wish that God would take the desire from you rather than having to fight the sin within you. It seems so hard, it takes so much effort, you fail so often, and you wonder why it is even necessary. But God has designed for you to grow in grace as you lean on him to help you fight. In this way you get to know God. You get to partner with him and see how he loves you in this fight, how he is for you against your sin. And you experience his work in you more intimately. You more fully experience the power of His Word and His Spirit. You can experience God’s people praying and working together to help mold each other into the image of Christ. And you learn not to play with sin, as you discover just how dangerous and damaging it is in your life, and how your sins affect other lives. Through this process, you mature, and your desires begin to change as you long for heaven.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©