Life On The Right Side!

When we talk about where "The Rubber Meets The Road" we are noting that which is of a practical nature or what is of great significance as far as our life actions. It is where we make CONTACT as we move through life. It is where what WE BELIEVE and what WE DO COME TOGETHER. As we go about our daily lives, does what we believe line up our actions on the right side? Though we have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, the MANNER IN WHICH WE LIVE is still of eternal consequence.

On my perpetual daily calendar for yesterday's date there was the following short prayer: "Heavenly Father, lift me from my complacency. Make me do more than be aware of those who suffer, those who are hungry, those who are ill. Arouse in me a helpful spirit. Amen."

I have read from this calendar each morning for several years, but those words struck me this time because part of my morning Bible reading just happened to have been from the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew. In verses 31-46 of that chapter, Jesus got pretty practical with regard to the expectation of our CONNECTION WITH HIM. When Jesus told this parable relating to the final judgment and the separation of the "sheep" (those rewarded with eternal life, vs.46) and the "goats" (those rewarded with eternal punishment, vs.46), He illustrated the significance of what we DO FOR OTHERS. It is far too easy to get caught up in "religion" while at the same time not valuing human life as much as we should. Perhaps that is also a lesson from Jesus' parable of the "Good Samaritan". ( Luke 10:29-37) In that parable it was not the "religious elite" who HELPED the man who had fallen victim to the robbers, but a Samaritan who had compassion and went out of his way to meet the need.

In this judgment scene parable recorded in Matthew twenty-five, Jesus stated. . .
"(34) Then 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. (35) For I was hungry and YOU GAVE ME FOOD, I was thirsty and YOU GAVE ME DRINK, I was a stranger and YOU WELCOMED ME, (36) I was naked and YOU CLOTHED ME, I was sick and YOU VISITED ME, I was in prison and YOU CAME TO ME.'" ( Matthew 25:34-36 ESV)

When these responded regarding when they had done this, the reply was. . .
"(40) And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BROTHERS, YOU DID IT TO ME.'" ( Matthew 25:40 ESV)

When Jesus noted those on the left, the picture was the converse. Their response almost seemed to imply that had they ever seen Jesus with any of those needs they would have surely helped. However, when had He been in such a need? Are we eager to "serve Jesus", but forget about the PRACTICAL SERVICE of meeting needs around us? The religion of Christ to which we have been called is not merely some rigid religious ritual to be exercised in holy piety, but very practical in its principles of worship to God and service to others. Following Christ is about living like Him; pleasing the Will of the Father and touching other's lives.

Though there is no substitute for daily Bible reading, prayer, and regularly assembling together as Christians ( Hebrews 10:25) so that we can encourage and be encouraged ( Hebrews 10:24), none of that was mentioned here by Jesus. Our Christianity is more than what we do behind closed doors or within our assemblies together. What are our day-to-day activities reflecting as far as our relation to Christ? May the spirit in which we serve others be as it being done to the Lord. (note also Ephesians 6:7) That is what marks living as one of the Shepherd's sheep.

Have a great day WITH RELIGION'S RUBBER MEETING THE ROAD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Carl

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