Matthew 25:41-4641
Then I will turn to those on my left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry and you wouldn’t feed me; thirsty, and you wouldn’t give me anything to drink; 43 a stranger, and you refused me hospitality; naked, and you wouldn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And I will answer, ‘When you refused to help the least of these my brothers, you were refusing help to me.’
46 “And they shall go away into eternal punishment; but the righteous into everlasting life.”
This is the most stunning indictment, by Jesus, of doing nothing.
Sin doesn't always have to be proactive - indifference and inaction are the most subtle kinds of sin.
Jesus alludes to this attitude in the parable of the good Samaritan. A priest and a Levite passed by and failed to help the guy who had been mugged by robbers.
Faith in Jesus MUST have practical hands and feet or it is dead and useless.
James 2:14-1714
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
How many times have I failed to help, visit or feed "Jesus" in my life?
Sadly, I must admit to many missed opportunities.
Time to wake up and take Jesus' warning seriously!
Father God, please help me have open eyes and ears and a willing heart with ready actions to help "Jesus" when I see a need.
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