Dear Explorer,
This is a continuation from yesterday's study. We are studying the Great White Throne Judgment.
Read Matthew 25:41-46
Which group is Jesus addressing?
Summarize what Jesus told them.
Summarize their response.
Oh, Jesus, if I had only known that it was YOU, I would have gladly been kind and loving and gracious to those people.
What did Jesus tell them?
What is the punishment given to those on the left?
Were they punished because they failed to be kind and good and caring to people?
No. They were punished because their core was empty and therefore, SELF was in charge. As a result, they were not kind and good and caring to people.
BIG POINT: Following Jesus is not a religion, a belief system, or a system of rules and regulations. It is a relationship whereby when you invite Jesus into your life to take away your sins and to allow the Holy Spirit to indwell you and take control over SELF, the result is a changed, transformed life.
Now, I am not teaching perfection. It takes a lifetime to become like Jesus in all our ways. But the core changes immediately, so that our heart's desire is to please God and be obedient to His commands. Since He commands us to love others – that is just one area where you will see immediate change. Our attitude toward other people will change when we have Jesus living inside of us!
My prayer is that you will make the decision, not only to invite Jesus in, but to daily surrender your SELF to Him so that He can transform you into the person that God has planned. It's an amazing journey!
In His service, dale
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