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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 3, 2005 Every Good Work is Rewarded |
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Frontline Devotion for Thursday, February 3, 2005 by
Fritz Foltz
Matthew
10: 40-42
Most of us would agree salvation is a gift from God. Ultimately we are
“justified by grace through faith alone“. That is very freeing and
comforting to know as we all short.
At the same time, most of us would like to think acts of kindness even the small
ones, are noticed by God and perhaps even rewarded. A simple recognition such as
“well done” would be enough. Therefore, it is refreshing to hear Jesus say
“whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones” will
receive his or her reward.
Another nice touch in the passage is how it looks at Matthew 25’s observation
about the Last Judgment from the other side. Here the challenge is not for us to
give a cup of water to the “least of these” but rather the recognition that
those who do it for us will be acknowledged and rewarded. We become the “least
of these brothers and sisters” in this passage.
Life is built on little acts of kindness. As much as our world attempts to solve
life’s basic problems with knowledge, we know the solution lies in love.
That love is willing to sacrifice ones life for another but to do the smallest
act of kindness for another.
We are truly little Christs, called to treat all others as little Christs as
well.
Let us pray: Overcome our selfishness, Father, and fill our hearts with love
that we might be friends in need to those about us. We pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
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