In Matthew 25 verses 31-46 Christ gives a parable about when the Son of man will come in His glory and everyone will be divided to be either a sheep on His right hand, or a goat on His left hand. The sheep are told that they fed Christ when he was hungry, clothed Him when He was naked, and visited Him when he was sick and in prison. The sheep are then invited to inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. The goats are told that they did none of these things to Christ and so they should depart from Him into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels.
So what was the difference between the sheep that go to heaven and the goats who go to hell? The only difference I can see is that some of them did things, and others did not. This also reminds me of Christ's words in Luke 6:46. He says, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" It's apparent to me that it is very important to Christ that I live my life in such a way that reflects I have heard His teachings.
So I've messed up a lot in the past and it's hard for me to feel like I am as generous with my time and resources as I should be in the present. I believe that God is perfectly just and loving and so in the end things will be ok for me. However, in the present I think what will make me feel the best is also doing something for Christ. I should participate in Christmas and Thanksgiving service projects and contact friends and family that I can connect with and listen to. I think I have heard in the church before that the gospel is supposed to make us happy. So that happiness is certainly relevant for the last days if you are a sheep, but it is also supposed to be in the here and now. So how about I stop writing and do something to live Christ's gospel?
So what was the difference between the sheep that go to heaven and the goats who go to hell? The only difference I can see is that some of them did things, and others did not. This also reminds me of Christ's words in Luke 6:46. He says, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" It's apparent to me that it is very important to Christ that I live my life in such a way that reflects I have heard His teachings.
So I've messed up a lot in the past and it's hard for me to feel like I am as generous with my time and resources as I should be in the present. I believe that God is perfectly just and loving and so in the end things will be ok for me. However, in the present I think what will make me feel the best is also doing something for Christ. I should participate in Christmas and Thanksgiving service projects and contact friends and family that I can connect with and listen to. I think I have heard in the church before that the gospel is supposed to make us happy. So that happiness is certainly relevant for the last days if you are a sheep, but it is also supposed to be in the here and now. So how about I stop writing and do something to live Christ's gospel?