The Final Judgment
by Verni Gamble
December 19, Saturday – Psalms 55, 138, 139:1–17(18–23); Zech. 8:9–17; Rev. 6:1–17; Matt. 25:31–46
(ESV Daily Office Readings Online)
Do you know where you are going to? Do you know what God is showing you? Do you know?
In the first Advent, Jesus came to earth and took human form. He suffered and died to save us all from our sins. All the while he was on the earth, he taught and showed us how to love one another through good works.
In the second Advent, Jesus will come in final judgment he will separate people like a Shepard would separate the goats from the sleep . Jesus will sit in judgment to all his peoples by the good works that they have all performed on this earth.
Matthew 25: 35-37
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, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Jesus said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
Jesus tells us that those of us who do good works in his name will sit at his right hand at be welcomed into his kingdom of heaven.
Are we doing good works for God’s praise or for mans?
Matthew 42-43
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I 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.’
Jesus tells us that if we do not good works in his name and with his love, then we sit at his left hand and will forever be punished.
Do we realize that giving is part or our worship? Our works as humans are tainted by sin. But, when we work for the praise of the Lord, and the love of Jesus we are doing the work of The Lord .
It is common conception that we as man do the good work, but it is Jesus working through us to do good his good works
May we all let Jesus work though us this Advent season . So , when Jesus comes back for the second Advent we will all be able to sit at the right hand of the Lord.
My confession
When Father Doug asked me to write a devotional for Advent I was doubtful that I had anything to offer anyone , because I must admit that when I read scripture I do not understand most of what I read, and I usually seek interpretation. Lee and I had been on a road trip this past week. I stayed at the house of one of Lee’s life long friends while he and his friend went after water fowl. I was visiting with Sherry and explained to her my predicament, and she offer to help me . I had only met Sherry one time before this visit and I was delighted to have Sherry help me with the passages which Fr. Doug asked me to read and write this devotional. Sherry shared with me how to read the bible in a different light. I was very blessed to have Sherry come into my life and bond with her reading and talking about the bible. I have to give Sherry credit for helping find my way into the gospel words, and she lead me down the right path with the help of the Holy Spirit. Merry Christmas!
