“So it will be at the end of the age: the angels will come forth and remove the wicked from among the righteous, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:47-48).
The call of Jesus is to become those who are righteous through faith. The righteous look to the Lord for all things. They know that life comes from Him. The righteous seek to do what is pleasing to the Lord always. The ones who reject the Lord will never be happy and blessed, for apart from the Lord, and curved in on ourselves, it is only isolation and loneliness. How can one be content amongst those who only care for themselves?
Lord, You have created us to be social beings. Help me to see that people are important to You and therefore, need to be to me as well. You are the one who separates, so help me live with others in the hope that they too will come to possess the life You offer. Guide me away from judging others to see in them the same hope some saw in me when I was a prodigal. Guide me into Your grace always.
Come, Holy Spirit, and clear my mind to do the tasks You give me to do. I am among those whom You have placed around me so that I may live into the life of being one of Your righteous ones whom You have redeemed. Teach me to give grace as I have received grace so that I may grant grace and mercy to others as I have received grace and mercy. May I always submit to Your will for me and others. Amen.
