The sheep, who went to eternal life, had reached out in love to the sick and the poor and the naked. The goats had shown no such love. Practical love was the distinguishing factor between the sheep and the goats. The loving ones can look forward to the Day of Judgment with confidence. In loving, we are simply acting like the people we are God s people.
Some people fear punishment, and in a way, they have a realistic picture.
Every single one of us deserves all the punishment God could dish out. We have fallen short of his glory. We have broken his standards and disgraced his name. The one who fears has not fully comprehended the amazing love of God. That person can understand only punishment.