Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1946-09-21

] say unto you, Inasmuch as We have
done II unto one of the least OF these
my brethren, we have done 1t unto me-
Matthew 25:40.
There is as much need today
for the words of counsel and adj
monition regarding strangers which
we find in our lesson, as there was
in the days of Moses, for there
seems to be an almost complete
breakdown of neighborliness both
between nations and individuals.
/. The Law Required Neighborli-
ness (Exod. 22:21-23; Deut. 24:14,
49,.
Our heavenly Father as revealed
to us In his Word is Father in
deed, one greatly concerned about
his many children; but especially
does he care for those who are weak
and needy.
The laws of ancient Israel made
provision for the feeding Of those
who had no fields. The corners of
the field were left uncut at harvest
time, some of the grapes were to
be left on the vine, etc., so that the
poor could enjoy the sense Of SELF
respect as they picked for them
selves what God had provided (see
Lev. 1879, 10; 1922; Deut. 24:19-21,
and other passages).
The poor man who found work
was to receive his pay when need
ed. For the one who hired him to
do otherwise was to bring upon
himself the judgment of God. He
listens to the cry of the hungry
worker and his family Oeut. 24:15).
Strangers were in a peculiar way
subject to the possibility of extor-
ton. They are even today the easy
mark of the one who lives by his
wits, the confidence" man and
sneak thief.
If any such person reads these
notes let me warn him solemnly to
keep his tricky hands off the stran-
ger, for God is watching and will
hear their cry (Exod. 22:23).
The same is true of widows and
orphans. God is their keeper and
their defender.
Someone may say that all this is
Old Testament in its background
and principle. What about the fol-
lower of Christ in our day? The an
-swer is that
III. Christ Expects Neighborli-
ness (Matt. 25:34-4D.
This is a prophetic picture of a
great judgment scene. 1t is not, as
many suppose. the same as the
judgment of the Great White
Throne of Revelation 20.
The scene here is not in heaven,
but upon the earth. It is not individ-
uals who are being judged, but the
nations of the earth. They are not
being judged regarding per-
sonal salvation, but for their treat
ment of Christ's brethren.
Who are his brethren? First we
think of his brethren, after the flesh,
the people of the Jewish race. Scrip
ture reveals again and again that
God is watching over his chosen
people, even though they are now
scattered in judgment for their I'M
belief. He will not hold any guiltless
who harm his people Gen. 1918.
The word brethren" is also used
in such a passage as Matthew IL:
1850 to include all who do the will
Of God. That suggests broader ap-
p1ication of these words.
Our attitude toward God ex-
presses itself in our attitude toward
our fellow man. That which we do
toward those about us is not a mat
ter of indifference, but is the basis
for Gods judgment OF our lives.
Each of US must answer for the
deeds done in the flesh whether they
be good or evil. That is true even
of the believer III Cor. 5:1O, whose
salvation has already been deter
mined by his faith in Christ.
Here in our lesson, however, the
failure to dc that which shows forth
Gods law of love is made the
ground of eternal judgment. This
is not because an act of kindness
itself can be regarded as the
ground of division, but because the
failure to give it or do it reflects
an attitude of heart toward our God
and his Christ which is in reality a
rejection of his way of salvation.
Judgment is thus a revelation of
the attitude of the heart, which
marks a man or woman as being
either saved or lost. 1t may be pos
sible to so becloud the thinking of
our friends and neighbors that we
may go through life looking some
thing like a Christian, but when
Christ judges, it will all be revealed.
Notice the Importance of proper
attitude toward those who need our
kindness and help. All too often the
only concern of men and women is
to look out for number one" and
let the rest of the world shift for it.
self.
Observe also that the Lord identi-
fies himself with his brethren
what is done to and for them is
counted as done to and for him.
Compare the experience of Samuel
q Sam. sd and of Paul (Acts $50.
Touch Gods people and you touch
him. Fail them and you fail him.