The Law of Life

Matthew 25:31-46

GOLDEN TEXT: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”—Matthew 22:37-39

THE law of life for all who have been created in the image of God is the law of love. This law heretofore has not always been immediately applied, but the time will come, when the plan of God is complete, that the only ones in heaven or on earth to enjoy the privilege of living everlastingly will be those who love God supremely and their neighbors as themselves. To be in heart harmony with this law means that the will of God and the best interests of others take precedence over our own desires and preferences. It is an exacting law, but one which brings genuine peace and joy into the lives of those who are governed by it.

Our Golden Text sets forth the law of love as a general principle which applies to the Lord’s people in every age. In the parable of the Sheep and Goats (the Scripture assignment for this lesson) this principle is shown in operation during the thousand-year judgment day during which all mankind will be on trial for life. The sheep and the goats of the parable represent, not the church and the world during the present gospel dispensation, but the faithful and unfaithful during the time of Christ’s Kingdom following His second advent.

“When the Son of Man shall come in His glory,” is the way the parable is introduced. This locates its application definitely following Christ’s return. Jesus did not come in His glory at His first advent, but rather, in humiliation. He left the glory which He had with the Father before the world was, humbling Himself to become a man. He humbled Himself still further by His obedience unto death, even the cruel death of the cross.

Christ’s sacrificial work was finished upon the cross and when He was resurrected the promised “glory to follow” became His. (Luke 24:26; I Pet. 1:11) Hence, it is the highly exalted, glorified Christ that returns to earth as the One whom God hath appointed to “judge the world in righteousness.” (Acts 17:31) It was Jesus’ faithfulness in humiliation, however, that proved His worthiness of the high position of glory which He now occupies. His faithfulness was a demonstration also of His full harmony with the divine law of love. He loved God supremely, hence was glad to do His will at any cost. He also loved mankind, and in obedience to the Father’s will, made the supreme sacrifice of His life to give all an opportunity to live.

The sheep and goats parable indicates that those represented by the sheep, are not aware of having done anything especially meritorious. This is significant. Their good deeds on behalf of those in need are performed in love and not for a reward. During the entire thousand years of the judgment day there will be opportunity for all who are so inclined to co-operate in the great restitution project then in operation. No one will be drafted into the service, but those who imbibe the spirit of the times and lend a helping hand wherever and whenever the opportunity offers, will discover that they have been in the service of the Lord, and that their unselfishness qualifies them to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.

The nature of the reward given to the sheep class of this parable also indicates the time of its fulfillment. The followers of Jesus during this age are not promised the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world. That was an earthly dominion, as the Genesis account of creation clearly shows. Jesus’ followers are partakers of a “heavenly calling.” (Heb. 3:1) Jesus said to these, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2), which reveals the Christian reward to be different from the inheritance of the sheep class of the parable which was a kingdom “prepared from the foundation of the world.”

Our first parents enjoyed that first dominion for a short time, but lost it because self-interest ruled their lives rather than supreme love for their Creator. God has permitted the reign of evil for six thousand years in order that the people may learn that love, not selfishness, is the true way of life and happiness. Having learned this lesson, the restored world of mankind, represented by the sheep in the parable, will have the lost inheritance restored to them.

The “goats” on the other hand, having failed to change their course from one of sin and selfishness to that of love for God and their fellows, “shall go away into everlasting punishment.” As the wages or punishment for sin is death, this everlasting punishment will be everlasting death, otherwise described as the “second death.” It is symbolized by fire because of the destructive qualities of fire. In Revelation it is represented by a lake of fire and brimstone.—Rev. 20:14,15

This parable shows clearly that there is to be an opportunity of life for all mankind following the second advent of Christ, for it is after He comes in His glory that the people are gathered before Him for judgment and trial. This agrees with Isaiah 26:9 which shows that the judgment day is a time when the “inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”

QUESTIONS:

At what time in the divine plan does the parable of the Sheep and Goats have its fulfillment?

What is the Kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world?

What is meant by the term “everlasting punishment”?

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