May 26, 2011

Are you a Sheep or a Goat?

Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
did not do for me.’

This message is brought about because of the devastation of the tornado victims. We are an extension of the arms of Jesus, therefore we should be helping the poor and homeless and needy as Christ's has done.
I think many times , oh I need this or I need that but, are our needs really needs or wants?I look around and I think; I have a roof over my head, many don't; I have clothes to wear, many don't; I have food to eat, many don't; when I am sick many will think of me and pray for me and visit me, many will never get even one visitor while sick or in the hospital. I have all that I need, many don't.
People God has call us to help those in need, to show compassion and love as He would. Because of a bottle of water or a sandwich or even a visit to the sick or injured your act may very well be the one thing that bring a lost soul into the salvation of the Lord. But, our lack of compassion may cause one to spend eternity in hell because we didn't bring Christ to them.
Some will even say I have no money to give, I can't go visit I don't have the spare time. But, in my thoughts, if I have more than one shirt then I have one to give, if I have time to watch a tv program or go shopping I have time to make a visit. Christ took care of my needs so who am I not to pass it on to one who is in need. Christ makes time for me, can I not spare even one hour for someone else? Those are my thoughts but we all have to answer to God on our own accord.
I don't know about you but, I for one do not want to face God on judgment day and have him say to me, I was hungry and you didn't feed me etc. depart from me you who are cursed.

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