Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did you see a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visited you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. . . . . As you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” Matthew 25:37-40,45
Does Our triune God take it personally of what we say and do to others?
Read Acts 9. Who is Saul persecuting? Disciples of the Lord. Who did the Lord say he was persecuting? Jesus. What insights do we see in Matthew 25 and Acts 9 about how God views our conduct towards other people? The good and evil we do to others are what we also do to Jesus. Would we lie to Jesus? Would we steal from Him? Would we believe rumors about Jesus? Would we spread rumors about Him? Would we irritate Christ? Would we belittle or criticize HIm? Would we hold a grudge against Him? Would we shun or give Him the silent treatment? In verse 40, Jesus said, “As you did it to one of the least of these, my brothers, you did it to me.”
Take some time and ask God to reveal to you how you may have treated others. Ask for forgiveness from God. We can not be right with God, if we are not right with man. When we are right with God, our relationship with others is impacted. Broken relationships are mended, bitterness, grudges, critical spirits, anger, and conflict are replaced by love, forgiveness, humility, and unity. Being in the right relationship with others, especially the family of God, are a way to communicate to the world about Jesus. In Ephesians 2:12-16, Paul states that because Christ has reconciled us to God, we are also reconciled to others.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for helping us to be reconciled with others. I pray that we will be mindful of our actions and our words towards others. I pray that we are aware of how we treat others is also how we treat you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
