WEEK 5, DAY 4: And Judge the Living & the Dead
Earlier this week we looked into the importance of seeing God as a God of grace, and the biblical truth that God is for us, not against us. Fully understanding these aspects of God’s nature is extremely important before studying out other passages that speak into the coming judgment of all people.
In Matthew 25, Jesus provides three teaching examples with some common themes. First, He teaches what it means to be reading for His return. Second, He teaches how we are to live until He does.
The Life Application Study Bible notes some additional themes that are a present in Matthew 25. These include:
- Matthew 25:1-13 teaches that we are responsible for our own individual spiritual condition.
- Matt 25:14-30 shows the necessity of using well what God has entrusted to us.
- Matt 25:31-46 stresses the importance of serving others in need.
No parable by itself completely describes our preparation. Instead, each paints one part of the whole picture.
READING & JOURNALING:
MATTHEW 25:1-13, MATTHEW 25:14-30, MATTHEW 25:31-46
Do you notice any additional themes present in any of the parables in Matthew 25?
Re-read the first bullet note from the Life Application Study Bible from today’s devotional. What thoughts come to mind as you meditate on that?
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I confess there are times when I feel that others bear the primary responsibility for my spiritual condition, and today has been an excellent reminder that I must take the initiative to grow in my walk with You. May my life be a reflection that I take this responsibility seriously. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
The F260 is a Scripture Reading Plan designed to read through the foundational passages of the Bible through a year (September 2019 – August 2020). It is a separate reading from the daily devotional but is included for those who would like to engage with the Scriptures on a deeper level throughout the year.
Read: 2 Kings 2
Journal: Write it out. Following the pattern from 7 Arrows Page (click here) what did you learn from today’s reading?
Note: Are you looking for a Study Bible to help you engage with the Scriptures at a deeper level? If so, click here for some recommendations.
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