Jesus, not me

Are We Sheep or Goats?

Mar 13

servantGod Thoughts neighbour No Comments

It’s interesting how the Word is relevant in specific situations and points-in-time. For those that think it’s just some dusty old out-dated book, think again! There is real life in the Bible. The last posting was about the “To Save a Life” movie and how we are to be good neighbours and how we should treat those around us. This morning, following my church’s daily reading guide, I come across Matthew 25:33-46 which talks about the sheep and the goats.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:

Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me — you did it to me.’” (Matt 25:34-40, MSG)

The passage goes on to repeat this to the “goats”, who are the people that did not do these things:

“He will answer them ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me — you failed to do it to me.’” (Matt 25:45, MSG)

There is, in fact, a very real cost to not being a neighbour to those around you. There is also very great reward if you do. It’s a difficult things to do; I struggle with this all the time. It’s not always convenient to go out of your way for someone else, and sometimes it’s downright painful. But if you get that whispering voice inside of you telling you to do something, I would encourage you to listen even if, to you, the timing doesn’t seem right or convenient. There’s a very real payoff for being a servant to others. In fact, this is what Jesus has called us to be! We are called to be servants, and helping the hungry and thirsty, the homeless, sick, and those in prison is being a servant. We’re called to be in the world, not of it. We’re supposed to be kinder, more generous, more loving, and more caring than those around us. God’s calling us to step up and do what He’s called us to do!

I finish with this one scripture that I think sums this up nicely. Lord, help me to be a good and faithful servant, and to actively walk out Your will. It’s not easy, but by Your Holy Spirit you give me strength and victory!

“If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.” (Matt 5:46-47, MSG)

Meant for Greater Things

Mar 12

servantGod Thoughts neighbour No Comments

My wife and I went and saw To Save a Life last night with some friends. What an inspiring movie! This is a movie that vividly demonstrates the kinds of things God wants to do in our lives, and how He can work with us if we are obedient to Him. One part of the movie that really struck me was when the youth pastor said that people often ask God why He didn’t do something, or why He didn’t do more, in a particular situation. I think this is something that many people can relate to, and that many people have asked. The response given by the pastor was quite honest: he had no idea. But then he made the statement that maybe God is asking us the same thing. Why didn’t we do something, or why didn’t we do more, in a particular situation?

That really made me think about how we “mind our own business” even when bad things happen around us. There are crazy stories of people sitting back watching people murdered, or beaten, and doing nothing. Crossing to the other side of the road. It reminds me of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). A Jew was beaten and left for dead and the religious leaders (that were also Jews) crossed the street to pass him by. Yet the Samaritan, a race of people that the Jews hated and despised, took pity on the beaten man and cared for him, well beyond what might have even been considered reasonable.

It also made me think that doing nothing isn’t good enough. We tend to pat ourselves on the back when we can say that we didn’t say or do anything mean in a particular situation. We feel good that we didn’t join in on the jokes, teasing, or bullying. But really, if we sit back and ignore what is going on, are we doing any better than if we actually joined in? Is the “norm” doing wrong to people? Is that why we feel so good when we don’t do the same?

Maybe it’s time to step up and be the good neighbour that God has called us to be. Are we like those that crossed the street and ignored the bloodied man and felt good that we weren’t the one to put him there? Or are we like the Samaritan that went out of his way and actually helped? God only called one of those three a good neighbour, so if we just sit back and do nothing, are we any different than those that did wrong? I know I have been guilty of this many times in my life, and this movie gave me a poignant vision as to just how much harm this kind of thinking can cause the people that are hurting and the people that we should be helping.

I think we’re meant for greater things than to simply say we did nothing. God has called us to do something, and it’s up to us as to what that something is.

If you get the opportunity to see this movie, I would really encourage you to do so. It’s really quite good and it really inspires and makes you think. Hopefully it will change hearts and minds, and instead of just making us think, also makes us act. Sometimes all it takes is one simple act of kindness, one kind word or smile, that can change a person’s life in a dramatic way that we may never know.