Thinking about sheep and goats

I was at Micky D’s this morning and saw a license plate that read EPH2 89. Since Ephesians 2 does not have a verse 89 I looked up 8 and 9. It reads:

“God saved you by His special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

There are several things to look at here. First it is a message to believers because to an unseeing eye the license plate just had letters and numbers. To a reader of scripture EPH is instantly recognized as Ephesians. The chapter 2 and verses 8 and 9 were easy to figure out. What a wonderful way to send encouragement to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Pastor Judi wrote in her blog that we need to usher into the work of the Lord wherever we and whatever we are doing. I am attesting to the truth in that, because it does not matter which church we attend or how many ministries we are involved in if we do not do so in the name of Jesus we waste our time. If we are in a ministry and we are not actually touching the people we are ministering to then we do not do it in His name, we do it in the name of the church or the name of the ministry itself. If I feed and clothe the poor as Jesus instructed me to and then I do not minister to them at the same time then I do no better than the government programs that do the same.

In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the last one Christ talked about in the Bible, the goats never saw Jesus hungry, thirsty, naked, or in prison. This is because they never saw Jesus in the ministry they were doing. They saw people not Jesus. Unfortunately these people did not touch their hearts. Jesus said when you do unto the least of these you do unto me. Jesus never took care of a person in need without addressing their Spiritual needs. Jesus touched, held, listened to, and asked questions of everyone He met. If you are doing things because you think it is what a Christian does and your heart does not ache for those you are working with then go away and get your heart right. We are vessels of God, showing Christ through the love we pour out on others. You have to get over yourself and show Jesus. More of Him and less of me is how Paul puts it. In striving to be more like Christ we have to let go of more of the world. It is not about numbers or how many things we are involved in it is about spending more and more time showing others the unconditional love of Christ. If we do not show the world Jesus then we have nothing to offer because without him we are no different than anyone else in this wretched world ruled by Satan.

Remember you were bought and paid for by the blood of Christ. You have two choices Jesus or Satan you cannot serve both. If you try you become a plastic Christian no good to anyone. Stand up Daughters of The King and be counted. He is raising up a mighty army of women and I plan to stay in the ranks. Together we will enlarge, encourage, and nurture the Kingdom of God.

Be Blessed in His Holy and precious name, and ever in pursuit of Zoe.