In Matthew 25:31-36, Jesus shares a parable that challenges the hearers to service. In verses 31-32a he challenges us to Loving Service, then in verses 35-36 He calls us to simple service. All of the things he talks about in this passage can be done by anyone, at any time, at any age. Jesus is not telling us to fix all the world’s problems in one shot; rather He invites us to make a difference in a simple fashion: one person at a time. Jesus equates our acts of kindness on behalf of those in need around us as acts of kindness given to Him. Deitrich Bonhoeffer correctly interprets this saying of Christ as, “I Jesus, the service of God and the service of the least of the brethren were one.” While it is true that the type of service we are called by God to engage in is simple, that is not to say that it is without cost to us. The acts which Christ mentions in this passage all have a ring of personal compassion, and requires more than simply writing a check to charity. It is a call to become personally involved in the lives of those … READ MORE

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells His disciples a parable with a simple and clear point: God will judge us based on our caring service in the face of human need. This parable teaches us four basic truths concerning God’s call to service which He places upon the life of every believer. The first is that God calls us to Loving Service in Matthew 25:31-32a. God’s love is a demonstrative love, and he expects us, as his children, to be loving as well. On commentator points out that the real evidence of our belief is the way we act. We are expected to live as His children and act out our faith in Him. What we do for others demonstrates what we really think about Jesus’ words. How well and how lovingly we spend ourselves on behalf of others is the only true evidence of our faith and in Him and His words. 1 John 5:3 says, “this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. What are the other three points? quickly they are: God calls us to simple service (Matthew 25:35-36), God will judge us based on our loving service (Matthew 25:32-34), and God will bless our … READ MORE

Anyone who lives in a family of any kind knows that people will disappoint and huirt you. Colossians 3:13 states, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” We need to understand that forgiveness is not a natural process. It seems to be more natural to carry a grudge, to record all wrongs on a legal pad in our minds. Yet the Bible is clear in its instruction. As we have experienced forgiveness from God, we are to forgive others. Families today are filled with people who desperately long for reconciliation. Some of us need to experience that kind of forgiveness from God. We need to remember that God has sent out His proof of forgiveness to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Romans 12;17-21 reminds us that God will deal with the sinful acts committed against us. We do not have to hold onto the memory or the emotion. We need to learn to place those things on the Lord Jesus Christ, and allow Him to deal with those things in His time and in His way.… READ MORE