Cause or Effect?

Cause or Effect?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:40

As we contemplate the import of this text, let us ask the question, is this a statement of cause or a statement of effect?  If Christ accepts these people, to whom He refers in the text as having done things for ‘the least of these,’ solely on the basis of their actions, then this is a statement of cause.  What are we to make of that in the light of verses like Ephesians 2:8,9?  ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.’ This would set Scripture at odds with itself.  If, however, this is a statement of effect, then all falls into place.  Christ has accepted the ‘sheep.’  He has given unto them eternal life, ‘and they shall never perish.’  The effect of that acceptance has been a transformed life.  They have become the imitators of Christ, ‘Who went about doing good.’  The things which they have done ‘to the least of these,’ they have done because Christ has transformed them.  They have not done these things as a matter of calculation to gain favor with God, but they have done them as a matter of course because of what Christ has made of them.  They have given food and drink to the hungry and thirsty.  They have clothed the naked and visited the imprisoned simply because they saw the need and had learned compassion from the Master.  This demonstrates that their charity is guileless and pure in motive.  Christ has changed them, and they have learned from Him.  So, Christ transforms us, places opportunities to minister before us, and then enables us to take those opportunities.

Our Gracious Master and Our God,
we praise You for the effect which You have had upon us.
We rejoice, that daily You afford us opportunities,
to imitate You in ministering to others.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning