The terms Sheep and Goats are metaphorical. They represent the behaviour of the two.It is describing the work of the SHEEP. The Sheep were not ever GOATS. the Goats never behaved like sheep This was a judgment of rewards , not salvation .
The Sheep represent those individuals who, having faith in Christ, express their faith in works of corporal mercy.
The Goats represent those who claim to have faith in Christ, note that they call Him Lord, but their lack of works betrays their lack of faith.
Note that it says, "every man". Not simply "every believer".Mat 16:27"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
Excellent quote. Did you read the rest?Luke 14:14"For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just."
12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Its about feeding the poor. If you feed the poor, God will recompense you. Its not about faith alone. Its not about sitting around saying, "OH, I'm so holy, I know I'm saved because I believe."
Beautiful! Now read the rest:(Rev 22:12)"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
Revelation 22:13-15
King James Version (KJV)13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Note that those who do not keep the Commandments are not permitted in the city and may not eat of the Tree of Life. And they are classified amongst the dogs and idolaters.
1Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
1 Peter 5
King James Version (KJV)5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Note that it is those Pastors who have given good example and fed the flock of God who will be judged worthy to receive the crown of glory.
Keep reading. He also calls the laity to be subordinate and to endure suffering for the faith in order that they may be saved:
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
The Goats are condemned , not because they did not work, but because they had never repented and believed
Jesus doesn't say, "41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:42 For Ispoke and ye did not believe." No! Jesus said:
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
They didn't do the corporal works of mercy for their fellow man, therefore they were condemned to hell.
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8
King James Version (KJV)8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Mark 16:16
King James Version (KJV)16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
If we believe that God can save us through the Sacraments, we are saved. If we don't, we are condemned.
[b]They were not sheep because they did the work that God had ordained for them, they did the work because they were the sheep
Gal. 2:16: "[T]hat we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified
Goats refuse to do the works which God commands. Goats live by faith alone.
Here Jesus teaching on salvation by works
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Still good. The good tree works and it is by their works that the good one is distinguished from the bad one.Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22[b] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
A good tree brings forth good fruit , that is fruit that is attached to the vine.
If it is not attached to the vine it bears no good fruit and it is thrown into the fire.
But you say, isn't feeding the hungry and clothing the naked good work?
Jesus qualified that answer here is what HE said
A corrupt tree ( not attached to the vine can not do work that is pleasing to him, even if done in HIS name)
A good tree ( a sheep, a saved man) can not bring forth bad fruit.
He says the sheep were ministering to HIM as they ministered. The goats did not.
So the sheep did God pleasing work not to be saved, but because they were already His sheep ( saved) .
Lets look at what Scripture says. Were the sheep saved before they even did the work pleasing to God or only after they did the work pleasing to God?
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Read it carefully. Jesus says that they will inherit the Kingdom of God because they did the works of corporal mercy. He did not say, "because of your faith alone."
Lets continue:
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Note how Jesus is rewarding what they DID. Not what they claimed to believe.
Lets continue:
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
And these are sent to everlasting fire, not because they did not claim to believe. But because they did not do the corporal works of mercy for their fellow men.
Very simple. Faith alone is dead. You need to DO the will of the Father in order to be saved BY GOD. Not by your works.
You do the works of corporal mercy. God has mercy on you.
You refuse to do the works of corporal mercy. God will refuse to have mercy upon you.
Very simple.
Sincerely,
De Maria
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