Matt 25:34-46 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’["because hey, we've been told all our lives that we're cold and uncaring and lacking in compassion!]
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ [Cuz hey, we've been promoting the welfare state all our lives, isn't that the ultimate in compassion?]
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
That is one of my most favorite (and most terrifying) passages...
I've thought a great deal lately about what you just posted. I know a great many unsaved people, including some of my own family members. I have nothing but compassion for them, because they are lost, dead, twice dead...though what they *do* can infuriate me. God is Sovereign. And man's anger does not bring about the Lord's righteousness. I've directed my anger into action - prayer, writing, phone calls. I am full of joy that you are doing the same here. God keep you blessed.