Jesus describes the Judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. The criteria for separating the saved from the lost in this description is particularly striking­—feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, taking in the stranger, clothing the naked, and visiting the sick and imprisoned. Some people lack food, clothing, shelter, and companionship. Other passages in the New Testament teach faith, repentance, confession, and baptism as necessary to salvation. A faithful life of service to the Lord, including proper worship and abstaining from sin,  is necessary too. However, in Matthew 25:31-46 the emphasis is how you treat the vulnerable who come to you in need; this determines one’s eternal destiny. That the righteous did these things for marginal characters in their society without expecting a reward from Jesus is evidenced by His description of their apparent surprise and questions on that day, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” (vv. 37-39). Jesus tells us He will reply to these individuals thus, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (v. 40).

John asks this question, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). Our actions do show what is in our hearts. The love of God does not abide in one’s heart if one possesses enough of this world’s goods to share and sees his brother in need of it, yet refuses to give to him. Some run away from the teaching of Matthew 25:31-46 thinking that it teaches works salvation. Certainly no one can merit salvation by good works (Eph. 2:8-9), but God’s intentions for the saved is for them to do good works (Eph. 2:10). In a discussion relating to this subject of faith and works, James asks, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 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?” (James 2:15-16).

The apostles had a commitment to remember the poor, and Paul was eager to accomplish this (Gal. 2:10). He and Barnabas delivered funds to the elders for famine relief in Judea (Acts 11:27-30). Paul coordinated a collection effort among multiple congregations to bear a gift to Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1-4). This financial help resulted in much thanksgiving (2 Cor. 8-9). That the church takes care of its own is seen early in its history (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-36; 6:1-5). Paul wrote, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Congregations in the first century helped supply the needs of the saints and shared with all men (2 Cor. 9:12-13). Pure religion includes helping those in trouble, such as widows and orphans, who need the essentials of food, clothing, shelter and companionship (Jas. 1:27). Are you practicing pure religion?

With joy the apostle Paul thought of the Christians in Thessalonica. These converts had such good hearts that Paul looked forward to Christ’s return, knowing that they would enter on to their reward together: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Paul is like an Olympic medalist whose king is not present at the event where he wins the gold for his country, so he returns to his home country and gladly presents his trophy to his king. Thus, Paul eagerly awaited the coming of Christ and calls those in Thessalonica his glory and joy. The account of his mission work in this important seaport city in northern Greece is found in Acts 17:1-9. Because of persecution, Paul and his company were sent out of the city, but continued to correspond by letter to the church there; we have the inspired books of 1 and 2 Thessalonians in the Bible as a result. What was it about the hearts of these Christians that caused Paul to have such joy at the thought of them?

Backing up to 1 Thessalonians 2:13 reveals that Paul was thankful for how they received the message he preached, as he wrote, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” Paul’s preaching was not according to man (Gal. 1:11). He preached the commandments of the Lord (1 Cor. 14:37). Many dismiss the words of gospel preachers today as mere opinions. While many in pulpits may give the fashionable opinions of men, faithful gospel preachers proclaim God’s words, words with all authority behind them (Titus 2:15). Scripture is inspired—breathed out from the mouth of God (2 Tim. 3:16). These good-hearted Christians in Thessalonica heard God’s word and it effectively worked in them because they believed. Scripture should not be downplayed as irrelevant to the specific situations we find ourselves in today. The Thessalonians received the word the way they should have and let it transform their hearts and lives. Do we?

Their willingness to endure suffering for the way of truth was also a commendable characteristic for which Paul was thankful, as he wrote:

 “For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.” (1 Thess. 2:14-16).

In this way, the Thessalonians identified with the Lord Jesus, the prophets of old, fellow Christians in Judea, and even Paul himself. We must not allow pressure from others to cause us to give in, but instead let us stand firm on God’s truth and endure suffering for it (2 Tim. 3:12-14).

            What about you? Do you have these characteristics that would make your spiritual leaders think of you with joy instead of grief (Heb. 13:17)?

Jesus describes himself as the true vine in whom, if we abide, we receive spiritual, life-giving nourishment necessary to produce fruit (John 15:1-3). With this image, Jesus gives a twofold command: “Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4). In the previous chapter of John, Jesus replied to the question of Judas, (not Iscariot), by saying, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). Once one obeys the words of Jesus by believing (John 8:24), repenting (Luke 13:3, 5), confessing (Matthew 10:32; 16:15-17), and being baptized (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16), then one is in Christ. Baptism is the culminating act that places one into Jesus beginning a new spiritual life (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-28; Colossians 2:11-13).

The command Jesus gives intertwined with abiding in him is to let him abide in you. Jesus further explains what he means in John 15:7-8, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” The words of Jesus must abide in us; we are truly the disciples of Jesus by abiding in his words (John 8:31).

Colossians 3 is an amazing chapter in this regard; it is practical, instructing us in daily living that shows Christ is in us. Colossians 3:17 tells us to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom. Some call themselves Christians but seem to try to get by with the bare minimum of His words each week. His words must dwell in us richly. As Christians, our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). Remember, we have died to sin to be raised with Christ. Christ is our life (Colossians 3:4). There are many sins listed in Colossians 3:5-9 that we must put to death and put off. However, Colossians 3 does not merely contain a list of don’ts. In rearing children, it is effective to redirect their thoughts and energy to something productive rather than merely telling them “No” to unwanted behaviors. So our heavenly Father does with us; we not only put off the old man (Colossians 3:9), but also put on the new man (Colossians 3:10). This involves putting on “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:12-14).

Making sure that Christ abides in us will help us to be better spouses, parents, children, employers, employees, etc. as Colossians 3:18 and the verses following show. There is a lot of evil around us in the world today. How can we overcome this encompassing evil? A Christian overcomes evil done to him with goodness (Roman 12:21); the love Jesus has shown even extends to enemies (Luke 6:27, 35; 22:49-50; 23:34). Having Jesus in our hearts will help us resist other temptations as well. The best way to keep the devil out of our hearts and lives is to keep the Lord Jesus Christ in.