At first blush, this would seem obvious to even a mediocre student of Scripture that the answer is a firm "No." The fact that there are those that want to read modern poststructuralist narratives into God's Word that so blatantly contradict the perspicuity, or clear meaning, of the text should set off all kinds of warning bells. For the one influenced by godless thinking and the cultic theories of the age that we live in, however, such clarity is anathema. The confusion that their deconstructionist approach to Scripture creates is not bug, but a feature of their efforts.
To that point we come to Matthew 25. As I always tell the congregation that Christ given me the great privilege of shepherding, context matters. So, what is the context for Matthew 25:31-46? Well, let's back up a little bit to Matthew 24 and work our way back forward to our text. Beginning at 24:1, Jesus begins teaching concerning the coming judgment. He starts with the destruction of the Temple (24:1-2), moves onto some signs of the end of the age which includes some things of note.
I say "of note" because I want you to remember the categories he uses: false Christs, wars, rumors of wars, nations against nations, famines, earthquakes, then persecution and being hated by the nations for his name's sake. As a result, many will apostasize who were never truly redeemed and betray faithful Christians. Many false prophets also will arise and further lead many astray. Lawless will increase and love will grow cold. Then, at 24:14, he says, "But the one who endures to the end will be saved."
Continuing on, Jesus again reaffirms the fall of the Temple, the rising up of false Christs and false prophets (24:15-28), his triumphant return (24:29-31), and begins to teach in parables starting in 24:32 concerning discernment of the times,how close and sudden his return and judgment will be, and the necessity of perseverance and faithfulness among his people. That emphasis continues on to our passage in 25:31-46.
Why was it necessary to walk from 24:1 to this point? The categories in 24:3-14 that I told you to note are the ones that produce the persecution that we see in 25:31-46. False christs, wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution, hatred by the nations, apostates, betrayal, false prophets, lawlessness, and cold 'love' all create the circumstances that Christians will have to, and in many places even now are being strengthened to, endure.
The "least of these" (25:40, 45) are Christians who suffer persecution as they persevere.They are members of the "elect" of 24:31 that at the coming of Christ will gathered together. The "righteous" (25:37) are the "virgins" who trimmed their lamps and stocked up on oil for the bridegroom (25:9). They are the faithful servants who made wise use of their Master's investment (25:20, 22).
That brings to a major difference between the righteous (25:37) and wicked (25:41): how they treat believers who struggle in difficulty and persecutionis a test of whether or not their faith is real or not. The stage has been set up to this point. One of the greatest judgments to be endured by the wicked and the foolish will be for how they treated the church. Don't believe me? The righteous specifically ask whom the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, and imprisoned are (25:37-39). The King answers them by grouping all such under the heading of, "Truly, I say to you, as you did did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me" (25:40).
my brothers, you
did it to me" (25:40).
Our basic principle is to let Scripture interpret Scripture, not culture or poststructuralism interpret Scripture. The resurrected Christ spoke in much the same language to the apostle Paul concerning how mistreating Christians was in fact mistreating Christ [e.g. Acts 9:4; 22:7-8; 26:14]. Yes, we are to do "do good" to everyone, but our particular focus is to always be first and foremost upon the "household of faith" (Gal 6:9-10). Paul went on at great length to teach the early church the same principle [e.g. 1 Cor. 11:17-34]: a failure to care for other believers is failure to discern Christ in them. It is a cause of sickness and death as judgment from God [e.g. 1 Cor. 11:29-32].
James uses similar language where it concerns saving faith in James 2:14-17.
There are plenty of texts that speak of assisting and reaching those outside the body of Christ. We don't need to take texts that speak clearly to the Christian's need to sacrifice for and love the church that Jesus shed his blood for and mutilate them into supporting the very lawlessness in the world that will be grounds for the coming persecution of those of the household of faith. Careful exegesis that rightly divides the word of truth within its grammatical historical meaning is as needed in our day as it ever was. Mark and avoid those that insist on revising the word of God to create a meaning that isn't there.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Bro. Charlie
Comments