Do I really Care?

Amos 2:6-8

“Thus says the LORD: “For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals—those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted; a man and his father go in to the same girl, so that my holy name is profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge, and in the house of their God they drink the wine of those who have been fined.”

I often wonder if “Thus says the Lord” has any meaning to the majority of mankind, as you look at your neighbors, your local politicians, your city, your workplace, your family, does God’s commands have a controlling outcome on their moral character?   And if not, is there judgment that is coming as in the days of Amos the prophet?

Let’s look at what Jesus had to say about His soon coming: “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.’ 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 we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit 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.”  (Matthew 25:34-40 ESV)

So the ones that were righteous by God’s standards, had no understanding that their acts of kindness and putting others before themselves was giving to the Lord.  For others who may have been churchgoers, but did not let Christ live out His life in and through them, Jesus said these very harsh words; “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:41-46 ESV)

As I ponder on these thoughts, I first had to check out myself; am I doing these things, do I really care about the poor, the strangers, the sick, and those in prison?  As I look at my country, I see evil men in high places that use the poor and under resourced for talking points, but their actions are only causing hardship and more poverty.  It is clear that they have no regard for them, but use them as talking points to earn votes and power.   So the question must be answered, do you believe Jesus tells the truth?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice