SALVATION AND SOCKS
(A study of Matthew 25:40)
"And the King will answer and say to them,
'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you have done it to one
of the least of these My brethren, you have done it to Me"
Unfortunately there are those that think giving to
the poor and needy earns them a place in Heaven. I was raised
on that concept in a very liberal Presbyterian Church. It's estimated
that Songtime listeners sent well over 50,000 pairs of socks
to Songtime for the refugees in Bosnia. We are so thankful for
this; however, it is quite possible some misused-used Matthew
25:40 as their reason for participating. For that reason, study
with me.
I. The key to the text "my brethren". This is a reference to people who have saving faith (I Jn 5:10). No unbeliever is ever addressed this way. We enter God's Family only one way - as Galatians 3:26 states:
"For you are all sons of God by faith in
Christ."
Now when a person has a genuine conversion, i.e. when he lays his sins on Jesus (Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." God gives him the Holy Spirit. Galatians 2:20 makes it clear that such a person does not depend upon salvation by character but "The life I live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."
What direction then will the Holy Spirit take us? That is clearly answered in Ephesians 2:10:
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand that we
should walk in them."
Loren Decker and I were both amazed at the tremendous
response to this Bosnia sock project -- way beyond what was anticipated!
Because of the sacrifice involved (a gift for Songtime usually
came with the socks), it must be concluded that we have a great
audience of people who love the Lord because of the indwelling
of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). The drive, then, to help the
refugees was a resultant drive. The giving was not for
personal salvation but because of salvation. All that
is summarized in two words: My brethren.
A WARNING -- In view of Matthew 7:14, "Because
narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life,
and there are few who find it.", it is reasonable to
believe a number of people reading this article are religious
but have missed relationship with God. Read Matthew 7:14 again.
We must add a warning because note the consequence of misunderstanding
the Gospel; namely, Matthew 25:46: "And these will go
away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal
life."
Could it be YOU have missed it? Is there the possibility
the Holy Spirit is really not resident in your life? If He is
resident , I John 5:10 states you are sure of Heaven.
Many of you aren't. Call us and ask for the cassette that demonstrates
how you can be sure..."Explaining Christianity". Call:
508-362-7070
Your response to the needs of the refugees in Bosnia
was overwhelming. It is my prayer that you'll have a similar
drive to help us extend our cassette ministry to the service personnel
there. As you know, President Clinton has extended their time
by 18 months. At this writing we need additional funding to send
our second cassette, "Triumph -- Victory Over Circumstances".
We are behind in accepting the many requests. At least eight
Chaplains have asked for as many as we can send. Therefore, your
February giving is vital. Why not call our toll-free number and
use your credit card to make an immediate gift possible. You'll
receive the unusual book, "Apocalypse Next".
This is being sent only to those who use the toll-free
number: 1-888-SONG USA. This 391-page book will give
you Biblical perspective as it relates to the events of the day
-- not human viewpoint!