By Steve Childers
Matthew 22:37-38 is where our Lord Jesus Christ gives us the first and greatest commandment which is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. It is not only the foundation of our relationship with the Lord, but does not sound that difficult considering what He has done for us as believers. But then again, how do you show God your love for Him? Do you go to church each week or in your daily prayers say God I love you over and over again?
In Matthew 25:31-46 God tells us very clearly how we are to show love for Him. In these scriptures, Christ speaks directly to us, not in a parable, explaining how the final judgment will be. The righteous are separated from the unrighteous by how they took care of the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick or those in prison, or in the case of the unrighteous how they did not do these things. Christ said, when we do for the least of these brethren, we do it for Him. Even though we are told to believe in His saving grace and we will live in heaven for eternity, there was no mention of confessing with our lips and believing in our hearts in this teaching. Christ clearly tells us we will be judged based on how we took care of those less fortunate. He did not say, if you believe in me and even though you did not take care of the less fortunate, you will live with me in heaven. Through our works we demonstrate to God the intentions of our heart. We show our love, not only for the down trodden but for God, by how we put our faith to work.
It is very easy for someone to say this sounds like trying to earn your way to heaven and it is a little confusing. We must have faith and James 2:18-19 explains it this way. He says "…I will show you my faith by what I do." He goes on to say, even the demons believe in God and shudder.
Our salvation is a free gift of God, but we have to be careful to read the entire Word of God to see how it fits together. Yes, once we invite Him into our lives, our sins are wiped clean, but as we travel down the narrow path to maturing faith, we must demonstrate our commitment to Him by following His will, which is love for others. This love is shown through service to the least of those on earth. Faith and deeds go hand in hand and cannot be separated.
Go to your Bible and read the entire scriptures quoted above and see if you agree. The reason is, I doubt you will hear this taught in our churches. However, read it for yourself and remember heaven and earth will pass away but not the Word of God. Again, as you read the scriptures mentioned above, remember this came directly from Christ, not as a parable that could be interpreted in different ways, but He told us exactly what He meant.
Steve Childers is the author of Catholic or Protestant What our Churches Should Be Teaching. Visit http://catholicorprotestant.com/ to learn more about the book and to receive FREE newsletters that includes an article he sends out weekly.
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