Sheep or a Goat? Lev. 8-12 & Matt. 25b-26a

The story Jesus tells in Matthew 25:31-46 is so powerful, so in-your-face. We debate and discuss how salvation is by faith and grace, not works, yet it seems that Jesus might have a different answer. Not that Jesus would say we can earn salvation - we absolutely can't! That is clear. However, I think we often offer "cheap grace" instead of a new life to people. If we are to have a relationship with Jesus, we must follow Him with our lives. As Jesus' brother James says in his epistle (2:17) "Faith without works is dead."

Jesus tells how He will divide people when He comes in His glory - dividing them into two groups; 1) sheep and 2) goats. He will tell the sheep that they fed Him, clothed Him, invited Him into their homes, visited Him in jail and they will say, "What?! When?! We don't remember ever seeing You." And He will reply, "Whatever you did to the least of these, you did to ME." And the scene will be the same for the goats except opposite. Instead of being welcomed into a Kingdom prepared for them, they will go to an eternal fire because they did not take care of the least of these.

Nice story, huh? It's easy to read this story and agree with the message........BUT,

How about you and me? Do you take care of the least of these? Do you even know any "least of these?" If not, you might want to get busy making some new acquaintances or opening your eyes to those in your life who are without.

Pretty big stuff regarding our faith...may we not take it lightly.