Matthew 25:44 – 46

The Sheep and the Goats (Conclusion)

44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’

45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Those on the left who were condemned for not doing good, also do not understand when the doing good applied to doing to Jesus.

We see in the book of James if we profess to help someone, but do not follow through with our profession then we are as guilty as those who refuse to help our brothers and sisters in Christ.

James 2:14 – 16 (14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?)

Verse 46 shows us the punishment for those who do not do good and the reward for those who do good are both eternal or everlasting. The reward is never ending and the punishment does not end.

It is a reward which is meant to be enjoyed so we will be conscious and alert, and feeling all of the effects of paradise.

At the same time the punishment is meant to cause wailing and gnashing of teeth, those condemned are also going to be conscious and alert forever.