Matthew 25:31-46

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” (Matthew 25:40, NKJV)

Authentic Christianity is not something we wear on Sundays. “Christian” is not a mere name we call ourselves. It is not a political party or a social media tag. To be a Christian means that we are like Christ; we are disciples of Him. We seek to imitate Him in thought, words, and deeds. It does not mean that we are sinless, or else no one would be a Christian. But it does mean that we are seeking to die to ourselves to live for Jesus. It is proven by how we respond to human need.

Jesus was (and is) full of compassion. He was moved in the deepest part of His being to help those who were in need. No one else has lived so completely for others. But if we are authentic Christians, if we are true followers of Jesus, then His Spirit is in us, and we will respond as He responds.

When Jesus Christ returns at the end of the Great Tribulation, He will gather the nations that survive before Him. He will divide them as a Shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. This judgment will determine who will enter the millennial kingdom. The judgment will be based on how they treated His “brethren”. For the sheep, whatever they did to the least of these, they did to Jesus. But for the goats, whatever they neglected to do to these, they did not do to Jesus. The sheep are not saved by their good works, but their good works prove that they are saved.

While I do not expect to be included in this judgment of the nations, this does show me the heart of Jesus toward others. It also shows me how I can please Him by the things I do. Whatever I do to the least follower of Jesus, I am doing to Him. On the other hand, if I neglect to do something for one of His brethren, then I am neglecting to do this for Him. It is not easy to be an authentic Christian! How we all need the love of God to be poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

“Heavenly Father, please help us to see others as Jesus sees them. Help us not to shut up our hearts toward those in need, but may your love so fill our hearts that we cannot help but be moved with compassion. Help us to prove our Christianity, not by what we say, but by our sincere love for one another. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”