Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Who are "the least of these?" | Matt 25:40 | justme | 219362 | ||
R D Miller: Interesting to note there are no parallels like this in any of the three other gospels. These verses confront every Christian as to how we respond to human need. There is a future judgement clearly stated by Matthew. In Matthew 25:31-46 there seems to be no suprise when the sheep and goats are each assigned different places. I don't think either the sheep or goats expected to be in a different place other than where they are. To think this passage is saying that righteous works will win salvation would be a serious misinterpretation. The sheep did not show love to gain reward. The sheep showed Christian love in their normal traffic pattern of life. The goats also show the lack of campassion and love because they too walked in their normal way. Perhaps the goats might of treated the the needs of people differently had they known their eternal destination depended upon their compassion for those in need. Jesus uses himself as the "I was" in the illistrations. The brothers in my opinion are anyone in genuine need. I don't think this limits the "least of them" to acts given just to Christians. The least could be to the unsaved as well. However even a deeper compassion for brothers and sisters in Christ has a depth of it's own. John 13:34-35 says all people will know we are His disciples by the way we show our love for others. Those who are indifferent to the Gospel reject Christ. Today we see open rejection of Christ and Christians in such a wide scale in our country. "Fundamenal Christians" have even been labeled as "might be a terrorists" recently by some in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. There are those who have little sympathy or compassion for people in need. Who might be those who are the least? Mothers in "with unplanned pregnantancies", "babies (real souls) in the whomb", eldery, children, parents be they single, married, ect. There are so many people in genuine need. "The least of these" is such a wide scope, and to be honest no government, church, organization, or person could possible reach out to all the "least of these". With all I have said, there is a interpretation that is most generally in the understanding that I present. Having said that the Holy Spirit might be directing you to a specific additional way for you personally to grow spiritually. I have been motivated in the past, after reading this passage in Matthew 25:31-46 to be more aware of the "least of these". The separation of "sheep" and "goats" is a message that runs through the entire New Testament. Even though the message of eternal punishment (hell) is mentioned over and over in the New Testament, people still joke and reject Jesus Christ. They which reject Jesus Christ even deny the very existence of a Holy God. I have no idea when the end time will come. I believe this passage in Matthew has a warning in it for everyone who has surrendered to Christ as Lord. Christians, of all people we are to be the most compassionate, and sympathic in the world, country, state, and place in which we live. Thank you for bringing up such a passage to spur us on the greater love for one another. justme |
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2 | The least of these follow up | Matt 25:40 | R D Miller | 219368 | ||
Thanks for the response. I am well aware that the conclusions I have reached about this passage fall outside of conventional interpretation. However, conventional interpretation of this passage has bothered me for years. Why is it that when people read this passage, they assume "the least of these" must be someone else? In order to decide that somone else is "the least" one must declare one self above that person. That goes against everything Jesus had been teaching up to that point. Besides, the world is so full of good-deed-doers. There is no way that the goats, when the time comes, will be standing before God with no acts of charity to show Him. No, they will be quite confident, perhaps even insulted, just like that Pharisee in the temple. But are they ever in for a shock when they find out that acts of charity are not what God was seeking. I pomise you, I am the least among men. Thanks again. |
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3 | The least of these follow up | Matt 25:40 | CDBJ | 219369 | ||
You are answering these posts in the form of a question and as a result they may not come to the attention of the one who answered you. CDBJ |
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