Read Matthew 25:31-46 and 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
I. Separation of the Sheep from the Goat
a. Passage (Matthew 25:31-46)
- When the day of judgment comes, Jesus will come back and separate the sheep (believers) from the goats (nonbelievers). The believers will enter the Kingdom of heaven while the nonbelievers will be thrown to the fiery hell.
b. Reflection:
- The church is like a flock of sheep and Jesus Christ is our shepherd. He tends us, feeds us and guides us. Main difference between a goat and sheep is that a sheep can be led while goats scatter around. As a sheep who follows Christ, we received salvation from God, and this salvation is what causes us to do good things. Some might think that the "sheep" inherited eternal life because of his good works (feeding the hungry, giving water to the thirsty, clothing the naked, etc) but we are wrong with this. Remember that we receive salvation only by faith through the grace of God and not by our works. But because the Spirit had been working in us, we are changed within and doing good is an outward expression of the inward change that God had made in us. It is the direct manifestation of God's love and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. And when judgment day comes, Jesus will separate us from those "goats" who rejected Him as our savior. We will inherit God's Kingdom and live eternal life while non-believers will go to everlasting punishment where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
II. Lawsuits Among Believers
a. Passage (1 Corinthians 6:1-8)
- Paul instructed the Corinthians not to sue each other. By going to court, Christians are putting a bad name to themselves. Disputes that go public will just distort the image of Jesus Christ and God among non-believers. Why would a non-believer commit his/her life to God when they see fighting among His followers. Additionally, the judges of the world have no respect for Christians and will punish them for their faith if given the opportunity. Paul told the church to accept the abuse and settle disputes rather than filing a lawsuit and pushing their brothers/sisters in faith away from God.
b. Reflection:
- As God's children, we are reminded not to bring disagreements before the court of this World but rather resolve it among ourselves. As God forgives our sins continuously, we need to learn to forgive others who have sinned against us. We are taught to forgive "seventy-seven times". At the same time, we should not follow the saying "I forgive but I do not forget". Imagine if God is that way. No one will ever enter heaven for we are all unrighteous and do not deserve the love of God. But because God loves us so much, He still gave us a way for salvation through repentance from our sins, acceptance of Jesus Christ as our savior, and living a righteous life.
III. Proverbs for Today / 10:27-28
The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing
IV. Old Testament Reading
Numbers 6-7 and Psalms 49:1-20
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