Jesus clarified with the Pharisees, and I believe it very much applies to us today, that one day soon He will direct the angels to weed out the unrighteous from the righteous, as each will be assigned their own final place of residence. Our righteousness is determined from the One who feeds our attitude, our principles, our behavior and our relationship with others. Those who seek the will of God. One of two choices will be applied to us, and our decision today determines the choice God will assign to us. Stand by as we examine the root of our choices, in advance of our appointment with God.

DATE POSTED Tuesday, 2022-02-22
WRITTEN AT: Okeechobee, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: Matthew 13:40-43
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible (AMP)

BIBLE TEXT: 40 So just as the weeds are gathered up and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend [those things by which people are led into sin], and all who practice evil [leading others into sin], 42 and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger]. 43 Then the righteous [those who seek the will of God] will shine forth [radiating the new life] like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears [to hear], let him hear and heed My words.

APPLICATION: Although God is working on each of us every day and working in us as we permit Him to guide our steps, yet there will come a day for every person when we leave, or die to, this world and we will stand before the Judge of all judges, who will determine our final destination. The Bible is very clear, and particularly in today’s Scripture, we are reminded that each of us will face the God who created us. The Bible is also clear that it will not be an embarrassing moment for your pastor, or your parents, or your spouse, for we will each stand before God individually. Today’s Scripture is very clear on how that meeting will go, so I encourage you to read it carefully and soberly so that God’s intentions will be clear to you individually. I hope that some will read this devotional who never before saw the need, or had the desire to enter a church, much less worship the God who created them. For each of us must be reminded that regardless of what our life is like here on earth, we WILL face God one day. For some, this will be a joyous time of finally getting to see the King that they adored, worshipped and served here on earth. For I believe that God will acknowledge their righteousness and welcome them to their eternal home in glory with He, and His Son (Jesus) for all eternity! For some, God will say somethings very similar to what they said to Him while here on earth – away from me, for I never knew you. I believe they will be tagged as the ‘unrighteous’, and they will finally be assigned their eternal home with Satan – a place of fire, brimstone, and agony – a place Satan has prepared for all those who lived here on earth without ever recognizing the Creator, nor His beloved Son, Jesus, but lived life like it was theirs to destroy. But I believe the saddest time will be for those who love God, for they will see the disappointment on the face of their Master, and the sadness that will come over Him as He is forced to send a child that He carefully and wonderfully made, a child that He sent His Son to save, from their attraction to sin, and rejection of Him. They deliberately chose to continue their selfish desires that brought them anything but happiness. Friends, today each of us are traveling one of the paths that I described above. In the Word of God, He is clear on the outcome for the righteous and the unrighteous, and they are totally opposite. I have family and friends who are dying at an alarming rate, so let me remind you, dear friend, that you moment for making the decision to ask God for His righteousness is not assured beyond the very moment that you are reading this text. I have included information in my Footnote that can help you change the trajectory of your life right now. I would invite you to email me so that I might pray for you as you seek God’s face. Otherwise, let me encourage you to get with a local Bible teaching pastor or Christian leader to pray with you in person. God created you; He loves you; and He will welcome your decision to change the direction of your sin-sick life. Speak to Him while imagining how much He loves you and wants you by His side. No worries about being in a specific place with a specific person while saying specific words. Just talk to God, right now, dear one.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: My decision to serve the King of all kings was affirmed in early 1975. Praise God, I am filled with anticipation as I am reminded of His ‘Welcome Home’ greeting someday soon! While I wait for that, my desire is to encourage others to give up on sin and accept my Lord as their Savior.

PRAYER: It won’t be long now! I believe those are the words You are declaring to my readers and I today as we study this Scripture from the book of Matthew. Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You Lord for awesome family and friends. Please remind them of Your love for them once again today, and how Your invitation is still open to them. Oh, that they will be sobered into reality and know that their time here on earth may very well end today. May they make the necessary steps to accept You today, is my humble prayer, even though they may be convinced of the joy this old world offers that leads them deeper into unrighteousness. You alone are God, so I am encouraged that You have the power to soften even the hardest and most stubborn hearts. They’re Your children Lord – designed and created by only You. Please draw them back to Yourself today. AMEN!