Of late, I have been reading through Matthew’s Gospel. Just before Jesus went silent before those who would crucify Him, He said some strong words. All that Jesus did in those final days would “fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures” (Matthew 26:56).
Jesus spoke of the Ten Bridesmaids, some of whom failed to keep enough oil in their lamps. The ones who had enough oil “went in with Him to a marriage feast, and the door was locked” (Matthew 25:10). The bridesmaids with empty vessels stood outside and cried out, “Lord, Lord. Open the door for us!” (vs. 11). To their appeal, Jesus said, “I don’t know you” (vs. 12).
Jesus then spoke of the Three Servants who made investments in their bags of silver. Two invested their bags wisely and one, out of fear, buried his single bag. Regarding the faithless servant, Jesus said, “Now, throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (vs. 30).
Finally, at the end of chapter 25, Jesus addressed the Final Judgment referencing when the Lord will separate the goats who will stand on His left side and the sheep who stood on His right. To the goats, the Lord said, “Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons” (vs. 41). This final judgment happened because their faith was without works of compassion. Their refusal to help those in need was a refusal to love God Himself. Jesus spoke of the goats, “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life” (vs. 46).
Our faith requires a choice to follow Jesus. It is not an “all will be saved” event. Those choices extend into how we choose to live our lives. Like it was for the Ten Bridesmaids, we must choose to keep our lamps filled with oil. Referencing the Three Servants, we must invest our faith in a place where a return for that investment can be received. As Jesus referenced the Final Judgment, a sheep and goat event will take place resulting in an eternal separation of goats and sheep.
So much folly and foolishness has entered the Church in America. Partly this can be attributed to our geographic isolation from many of the real-world problems people are experiencing in other parts of the globe. It has created a weakened version of faith where our choices, or the lack of them, are leading the way.
Times are coming when our faith will be tested in ways this generation cannot imagine. We can prepare ourselves to live through those times by making choices today that will please the Lord and define us as among His sheep, not a goat-like imitation of true faith.
“Times are coming when our faith will be tested in ways this generation cannot imagine”
I have heard these warnings before, recentĺy. Better keep my house (and faith) in order.