The following was copied in part from The Bible Pathway Ministries Daily Devotional guide.
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When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the Holy Angels with Him, then shall he sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (Matthew 25:31-33).
There will come a day when wealth, personal advantages and popularity will all be seen for their true value - worthless. Watch (Be prepared) therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh (Matt. 25:13).
When Jesus returns, all of the worldly advantages that seemed so important just seconds before will vanish. Millions will be overcome with grief and horror as they realize (Too late and for the first time) that Jesus is the only way. For those of us that profess to live in the Christian faith there will be one final question - Did we express the life of God in our daily conduct as one who possessed the new life in Christ, or were we a professor of belief only that had yet to accept the new life offered in Him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth ( 1 John 3:18 ).
There are three distinct groups of people that believe they will make it to Heaven. Two out of the three obviously don't have a firm understanding of the subject of God's grace. The first of these is made up of individuals that don't know what they believe. They say, "Well, if there is a God, I am a good person, so I have nothing to worry about." These are the people that are kind to their fellow man and are just general all around nice guys, but they do not have a personal relationship with God. The second group is comprised of the "I'm saved, but I don't have time for you" elite. Most of the people in this group were raised in the church and have professed a belief in Jesus their entire lives. That belief, however, has never influenced who they are or how they live. They are focused on personal success in this world and believe that their "Christian brand" will take care of them in the next. Both of these groups will be turned away at the Throne, the parting worlds of Jesus ringing in their ears. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matt. 7:23).
The final blessed group is represented by all who have found a new life in Christ. They are not their own but belong wholly to God. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (1 Cor. 6:20). This group can proudly proclaim, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). They are filled with Christ-like love for their brother and their enemy alike. They will sacrifice for the less fortunate and offer something of themselves to secure the well-being of the unlovely. They receive their greatest satisfaction and fulfillment while actively serving others for Christ's sake.
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:14-16).
