Evangelisation: The Resurrection of the Dead.
And I look forward to the Resurrection of the Dead and Life Everlasting
Now we all accept that when we initially die we will have a judgement. But there is that day when Jesus will 'come again in Glory to judge the living and the Dead'. We read in Matthew that he will gather all the nations before Him, and he will separate them, the sheep from the goats. The measure of his judgement will be the love within each person with which they served the poor. "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me...." It seems so easy then. You gave money to the poor, you opened soup kitchens, you were admired by so many people for the good person you saw yourself. So you must go straight to Heaven. But this is the sticky part that the judgement will reveal. Did you really love the people you were helping? It is so easy to give to the poor from our excess of wealth, seeking only admiration for your vanity. Do you remember the story of the widows mite. Jesus pointed out that the little she gave was more meritorious than what others gave, for it formed a larger part of her income. That is what Jesus was pointing out, love of the poor and of Him, makes us generous of heart and closer to Him. You give as you would give to Jesus. You love, as you would love Jesus. There is no holding back, because in the poor we see the image of Jesus, because we love Jesus.
But Christ will also be just in his Judgement. There will be many crying out "Lord, nobody came to me with your Gospel" And others will say "Lord, I would have been faithful if I had not listened to this teacher or that teacher" And the Lord will turn to the preachers and teachers, maybe you and I, and ask us to explain ourselves. We are often so wrapped up with out own sins, that we fail to see how we misled others into their sins. It is of importance to look back at our lives and see what damage we have done to others, and pray that they will be saved, and their sins will not be held against us.
And there is a Hell, a terrible separation from God. And because we did not love the way Jesus asked us to love, we will be lost in Hell for all eternity. I know the for Jesus said this. I do not understand it, but I know it is true, and I cannot deny it, nor do I speculate on matters I have no knowledge of, just to comfort myself and others. Truly Jesus warned us "Enter in by the narrow gate, for the gate to perdition is wide"
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your Mercy.
Now we all accept that when we initially die we will have a judgement. But there is that day when Jesus will 'come again in Glory to judge the living and the Dead'. We read in Matthew that he will gather all the nations before Him, and he will separate them, the sheep from the goats. The measure of his judgement will be the love within each person with which they served the poor. "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me...." It seems so easy then. You gave money to the poor, you opened soup kitchens, you were admired by so many people for the good person you saw yourself. So you must go straight to Heaven. But this is the sticky part that the judgement will reveal. Did you really love the people you were helping? It is so easy to give to the poor from our excess of wealth, seeking only admiration for your vanity. Do you remember the story of the widows mite. Jesus pointed out that the little she gave was more meritorious than what others gave, for it formed a larger part of her income. That is what Jesus was pointing out, love of the poor and of Him, makes us generous of heart and closer to Him. You give as you would give to Jesus. You love, as you would love Jesus. There is no holding back, because in the poor we see the image of Jesus, because we love Jesus.
But Christ will also be just in his Judgement. There will be many crying out "Lord, nobody came to me with your Gospel" And others will say "Lord, I would have been faithful if I had not listened to this teacher or that teacher" And the Lord will turn to the preachers and teachers, maybe you and I, and ask us to explain ourselves. We are often so wrapped up with out own sins, that we fail to see how we misled others into their sins. It is of importance to look back at our lives and see what damage we have done to others, and pray that they will be saved, and their sins will not be held against us.
And there is a Hell, a terrible separation from God. And because we did not love the way Jesus asked us to love, we will be lost in Hell for all eternity. I know the for Jesus said this. I do not understand it, but I know it is true, and I cannot deny it, nor do I speculate on matters I have no knowledge of, just to comfort myself and others. Truly Jesus warned us "Enter in by the narrow gate, for the gate to perdition is wide"
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, and lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your Mercy.
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