There seems to be two basic types. The first makes a big show of warming the pew on their chosen day of worship, but doesn’t carry it through for the rest of the week. They are judgemental and selfrighteous. Very big on what they do which is in accordance with what they say the Bible says we should do. Not very big at all on Christ’s redeeming Blood. Very similar to the Pharisees of old.
The second also warms the pew on their chosen day of worship, when they can. They are just as likely to turn up in their gardening clothes, because they have appointments doing some sort of work after church, usually helping someone. The day is not holy to them. During the week they are kind to people. They quietly help those in need. They are happy, even if their lives are tough. Their Christianity is a way of life to them.
Which sort is closer to Jesus’ example?
In Matthew 25:31-46, we see what Jesus says about the final judgement:
31“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,f you did it to me.’
41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
We see He divides the sheep from the goats, and how He does it. It is not by who keeps the ten commandments. It is not by who keeps the Sabbath, or tithes. It is not by who eats the right food, or reads the right version of the Bible. It is not by who spends the most time in church. It is not by wearing the right clothes, or by not wearing jewellery.
It is by who loves his neighbour, who is kind to those in need, those who quietly go around helping people. Quite simple really. They are the ones who are following the example of Christ. They have His Light in their hearts. They do not do any of this to big note themselves, or earn brownie points, they do it as an act of worship. Their whole life is a witness to God’s glory.
So which sort of Christian are you? Are you a sheep or a goat?
Light of Christ 