"Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:37-40).
This passage describes a time when the Lord shall hold to account certain individuals who treated others less-privileged than themselves uncharitably and He will bless those who showed compassion and gave of themselves. But what is particularly fascinating about the passage is that Christ takes such actions towards others as personal treatment of Himself. If we look with disdain upon a particular believer, even the "least" one; that slight is personally felt by our King. Would we enjoy the opportunity to personally demonstrate hospitality to Christ, to shower our love upon Him? Then we must take the opportunity to go out of our way in ministering to others.
Note the warning about our words found in James: "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God" (James 3:9). The closest analogy on this earth to the God we love consists of the people around us. They, not our favorite pet or cherished item, are made in the image of God!
Christ prayed: "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love" (John 15:9). How did Christ love? He loved when we were sinners, unlovely, and rebels against His will. If we are to love as he loved, then we must exercise the same proactive love. If we are to continue in His love, then we must love others as we would love our precious Lord.
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