Devotional from Christian Union America's National Fast, August 2024
by grace ann arvey, director of christian union america
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’" - Matthew 25:31-36
Final judgment might not be a popular topic for sermons or devotions in our time, and many churches likely wouldn’t dare preach a fiery sermon similar to Jonathan Edwards’ famous “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” today. Yet, it is crucial for every believer to understand. In this passage, Jesus paints a clear picture of what will happen when He returns, clarifying what He previously taught the disciples through parables.
First, Jesus emphasizes the majestic nature of his second coming, surrounded by the entirety of heavenly hosts, contrasted with the humility of his first coming of being born in a lowly manger. Secondly, Jesus corrects the disciples’ frequent misunderstanding that Jesus came to deliver and save Israel as a nation and will judge or condemn everyone else. Jesus emphasizes the universal scope of His final judgment instead. “All the nations” will be gathered before our Holy God, signifying that no one is exempt, regardless of nationality, status, Christian, non-Christian, or any other man-made distinctions.
The universality of Jesus’ teaching begs all Christians to carefully examine their lives continually and strive for holiness, knowing that they will stand before Christ one day. Are we ready for this judgment day? Is our nation ready? Will we be found as sheep or as goats?
Every Christian is called to live with an eternal perspective, always aware that our Savior will return and judge righteously. In light of this, we may wonder, “How are we to live as sheep and not goats?” Jesus continues that we are to demonstrate our faith through our obedience and good works–not that our obedience and good works merit our salvation–but that they demonstrate the gift of faith we have received.
Let us be encouraged to live as sheep and not as goats, that we may inherit the eternal welcome of Jesus at the final judgment, “Come, you blessed.”
As we fast, let us pray together:
Lord, cleanse us. Renew a right spirit within us. Establish your kingdom across the nation. Bring millions to repent and believe in you. Increase the number of your sheep day by day. Awaken Christians and churches in America to return to You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
