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A day is coming when our life here will cease. Will we be ready for the judgement that awaits all of us? Will we pass the test? Can we know the answers to the judgement test in advance? Yes we can! Please read more.
In our hearts, we all know that life is fleeting. James 4:14 tells us: “You have no idea what your life will be like tomorrow. You are a puff of smoke that appears briefly and then disappears.” In our heads, we often struggle with the reality of our mortality. We never want to assume this day will be our last. We tend to put off till tomorrow, things that need our immediate attention today.
Being prepared for the time we breathe our last breath is important. Matthew 24:44 says this: “So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” Luke 12:35-36 states it this way: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.”
Are you ready? It has been said that we all might be more prepared if we knew exactly when our death would come. In Psalm 39:5, the author asks God to tell him the time of his death when he writes: “LORD, let me know my end, the number of my days, that I may learn how frail I am.” If you could know the exact number of days remaining in your life, would you really want to know? How would this change the way you live your life?
The fact is, we don’t know when our time will be up, and therefore, we should strive to be ready at all times. When that day does arrive, there will be a judgment. Are you prepared for what that judgment will bring? Not everyone who cries “Lord, Lord” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven according to Matthew 7:21. Jesus goes on to tell us that only those who do the will of His Father will enter Heaven. So, if we want to spend eternity with God in Heaven, we should ask ourselves this question: “What is God’s will for me?”
Imagine for a moment that you had a very important test coming up in school. In fact, this test is so important that your performance on the test will determine whether or not you graduate. Wouldn’t you want to know the questions on the test in advance? Imagine further that the teacher has such a strong desire to see everyone in the class pass that he gives all of the students the answers to the test. One would assume that no one should fail the test, right?
Not so fast. Do you know that our Heavenly Father has done just that for all of us. He has told us exactly how judgment day will go. You could say, He has given us the answer for our eternal quiz in advance. He has told us how He will grade our test. With the answers in advance, shouldn’t we all pass? Unfortunately, He tells us that not everyone will.
Matthew 25:31-46 is the answer sheet that God has given us in advance of our judgment day. God wants us to love Him above all others and He wants us to love others as He loves us. Not only has He given us the answers to the quiz, He has also told us that as our Shepherd, He will separate us on His right and left based on our test results. Okay, here is that eternal test:
- Did you feed the hungry?
- Did you give drink to the thirsty?
- Did you welcome the stranger?
- Did you clothe the naked?
- Did you care for those who were ill?
- Did you visit those in prison?
The answer that God is looking for from us for all six questions is YES. How did you do? Did you answer NO to any question? Did you pass the test? The day will come when He will say to those who passed the test: “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, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” He then says to those who failed the test: “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment.”
Yes indeed, God has given us the answers to the test. He has told us just how important it is that we show kindness and compassion to others, just as He has shown the same to us. He has warned us to be vigilant and ready for the test.
God has told us that it is our sins of omission that can cause us to flunk the most important test we will ever encounter. He has given us the answers to the quiz. Will we utilize those answers or rather will we live life by our own standards? Are you ready if the test came today? If not, it’s not to late to start cramming for the exam.
Father, strengthen and prepare me to be ready for the day of my death and for my judgment. Guide me in my actions to help others. Help me to treat others with the same kindness, mercy and love you offer me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!
AMDG
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Brian,
Wonderful words, and daunting words.
And lest we not become too discouraged in this challenge, may we simply live our lives in this manner…..
“Do the next good thing – one moment, one step, one day, one commandment.”
If we actively choose to live in this way, our Lord will present us with ample opportunity to answer his challenging call.
Bob
Beautiful ….thank you!
Brian
Those are good thoughts and questions, but I don’t think Christianity is a performance religion, so we need to be careful from believing we can check off some boxes for salvation. Jesus tells us we can’t do anything on our own but only by the Grace of the Father. It’s also about mercy, trust and surrendering to God’s Grace.
Paul
We must also be careful not to confuse these teachings. Our salvation comes through Jesus Christ. Of that there should be no dispute. But once we become followers of Christ we are called to imitate Christ. He calls us to action. With His grace we are strengthened to respond to His call. His words are quite clear, “Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs? He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” You are right to point out that we can’t earn our salvation, but I think it is clear Jesus expects us to respond in love and kindness to others.
Brian
This 4th day letter was such an eye opener, thank you for the gentle reminder of what we are here for and what we should be doing. Each week you help your readers and listeners to be more aware of just that. I am so thankful.
Kathleen
Thank you for your kind words!
Brian
Good morning Brian, thank you for the great letter. There are no coincidences, today the feast of
Saint James, Apostle
the readings at Mass today related a similar sentiment.
Jesus summoned them and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.
But it shall not be so among you.
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28
Thank You, God Bless
Tom
Tom
Thanks for sharing the relationship between todays message and today’s Gospel message.
Brian
Your letters are always enlightening, thank you.
Thank you!
Thanks, Brian, for this important reminder of what is most important. God bless your ministry and your family, Jim
Thanks Jim