| HERALD MINISTRIES EDITORIAL PAGES FROM THE DESK OF THE FOUNDER AND EDITOR OF HERALD MINISTRIES :
It is difficult to believe that two category 3 hurricanes could hit our southern coastline only a couple of weeks apart, and cause the damage that they did. We are hearing estimates for repairs and reconstruction, and replacement in the hundreds of billion dollars. Yet out of all of this, there was a silver living, small as it might be. We saw the American people digging into their budgets and savings to contribute nearly one billion dollars for relief aid. When I saw how our people, regardless of religion, nationality or skin color doing every thing they could to help those whose lives have been devastated, I had to think of Jesus words in the 25th chapter of Matthew. In these words we see Jesus having gathered the nations before Him for judgment. We see Him separating them into two categories, the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left. In verse 34, Jesus said to those on his right hand “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Those on His right hand were confused. After all, they had never seen him in the flesh, most would not recognize him if they saw him, because he wouldn’t look like the paintings portray him to look. He then went on to tell those on the right hand what they had done to help insure them this place. He told them how they had fed Him when He was hungry, and gave Him drink when He was thirsty. He went on to say He was naked and you clothed me, I was in prison and ye visited me, I was a stranger and ye took me in. They asked Jesus when did we do all these things: when did we give you food and drink, when did we take you in, and when did we cloth you or visit you in prison? Jesus answered in Matthew 25:40 “And the king shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” What was their reward? Because obviously they were not looking for a reward, they had done it without being asked and probably no one else knew what they had done. But Jesus knew. He looked upon their hearts; and for their efforts he said “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Unfortunately many in mainstream Christianity do not believe in works, because they say works can’t save you and in this they are correct. However, we find the works done for the hurricane victims similar to those in Matthew 25 and backed up in the book of James. Many Christians refuse to read the book of James. Some denominations call it ‘an epistle of straw’. Yet James is merely backing up what Jesus told those sheep at his right hand. In James 2:14 it reads: ‘What does it profit my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works? Can faith save him?’ James continues in v. 15 “If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food. V. 16 And one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be warmed and filled; not withstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?’ v.17- even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone. v. 18 ‘ A man may say, Thou hast faith and I have works; shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. V. 20 But wilt thou know, o vain man, that faith without works is dead?’ Perhaps now what Jesus was saying in Matthew 25 takes on a new meaning for us. Because if we continue reading in Chapter 25 we read about the goats, placed at his left hand. In v. 41 we read “then shall he say also unto them on his left hand, depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.’ Jesus then told them why they were on the left, and we see there were “no works”, even though there was a need. This reminds me of Jesus’ words to the religious people in Matthew 7:21 ‘Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. V.22 Many will say to me in that day Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?’ This makes one wonder, what were their works? After all, we still have the words of Jesus in Matthew 25. Perhaps like the Pharisees, their works were done to be seen of men. (Matthew 23:5). I feel the reason God is pleased with those who gave of their earnings and savings to help those in need, is because they did not ask for recognition, so few people knew of their works. There is another statement in the New Testament that might differentiate the works that Jesus was referring to in both cases. In James 2:1 he said ‘My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory with respect to persons.’ I feel the American people held to that principle because age, sex, nationality or skin color did not enter into it, it was Americans helping Americans. Do you suppose God notices when people come to the aid of persons they don’t really know? Does God recognize any who at anytime of need are ready and willing to give help in some way? I’ll close this editorial by quoting from Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shown in His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister.” Since God is not a respector of persons He will not forget your work or labor of love, as this is truly loving your neighbor. I feel the American people have taken their charity one step further, they have given to people they don’t even know. Why? Because it seems this is the right thing to do, and it seems when there is a need anywhere in the world, Americans are the first to offer aid. Prayerfully, I say, God, please bless America because when it comes to helping others they are not respecter of people either. Thank you, America, and may God bless you for your “works”! Harold E. Cormany
|
