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This past summer, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost in the primary election. It was the first time that a House Majority Leader lost the primary election in American history. In his concession speech, Senator Cantor thanked all those who were loyal until the end of his campaign. At the end of his election, he wanted to express gratitude for those who had been with him. Another story during the summer that gained much more attention is that of Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who was held as a captive by the Taliban for almost five years before being released. There has been a great deal of controversy over Bergdahl’s release partly due to the fact that according to the other members of his unit, Sergeant Bergdahl deserted. While Senator Cantor’s supporters have been thanked for their loyalty, Sergeant Bergdahl is in the position of having to answer the charges against him.
In Matthew 25 we are told the parable of the talents. In explaining this parable, Jesus tells us how on the Judgment Day the Lord will tell us one of two things. “And He will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world'” (Matt. 25:33-34) How amazing will it be to hear the Lord say the words to us? After our service to Christ in this world is over, we have the assurance that we will hear those words!
But there is also a warning. Those who do not follow the will of God have a different fate prepared for them. “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels’”(Matt. 25:41). We have the choice to follow Christ now and then spend eternity with Him or to live our lives without Christ and be forever separated from Him. One day, we will either be thanked for our loyalty or we will be sent away from the presence of God forever. On that day, what will be said to you?
Ryan Smallwood
via Dexter Church of Christ
Dexter, MO