The following is a devotional from One Day One Step.

Matthew 25:34-36

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you
who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was
naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in
prison and you visited me.’

The Biblical mandate to “love others” is not conditional, yet we treat it as such too often.

The Sheep and the Goats are baffled by Jesus’ claims regarding their interaction with him; both believed they would gladly care for Jesus, yet had no recollection of encountering him. Both groups no doubt ministered to others, yet in this moment they are surprised by a deeper reality. Jesus’ assertion that he was amidst “the least of these” should be a wake-up call for all of us, because conditional love indicates we do not yet understand Biblical Love.

The Goats weren’t villainous, though no matter how many they willingly served, there were many in need they neglected. Conversely, the Sheep weren’t serving for show, but rather had allowed Love to be so integral to their foundation that it extended to any neighbor that crossed their path. Justice is not project-based, nor even sourced from our capacity or awareness; it is the authentic, unconditional expression of Love… a Love that comes first and fully from God alone.

• Invite the Spirit to reveal the conditions of your love, and invite Biblical Love
• Ask the Spirit who you may be unintentionally neglecting, and how you can respond