Sheep and Goats
Sheep and Goats
The separation of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25 is a portion of scripture that used to scare me. So many twisted sermons that created confusion and fear and led me looking to my actions and behaviors. Was I doing enough to be a sheep? I knew I needed to study this out, and glory be to God I see the truth. I hope this helps you, too!
Being a sheep or goat is an identity. Someone is either a sheep who is righteous (right with God) by faith in Jesus or a goat who is not. Our good works don’t make us a sheep and our bad works don’t make us a goat. Believing the gospel and placing faith in Christ alone makes one a sheep and rejection of the gospel makes one a goat.
Matthew 25 is based on a person’s response to the gospel not on what they do or don’t do! Wow! Many legalistic ministers equate the actions listed here as things one must do to earn or keep salvation/the kingdom. This is works based salvation and it is not the gospel.
Sheep will naturally do the things listed because they’re sheep, and goats will naturally do the things listed because they’re goats. But these things aren’t earning them anything. The separation of sheep and goats took place BEFORE Jesus listed these works.
The truth is, the sheep INHERIT the kingdom, they don’t earn it. It is a gift to those who believe in the finished work of Christ. If you’ve believed the gospel, then you are a sheep and you have nothing to fear in the judgment.
The separation taking place here is based on identity, not on what you do or don’t do. You can never pay God back for what He did, and He doesn’t want you to. You can rest and not fear punishment from God because Jesus was punished for you. This is the good news! Thank you Jesus!
Believe Jesus when He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5:24
Religion wants you to fear and never feel secure in your salvation, but the gospel speaks a different and better word. You can rest and know that you are safe not because of you, but all because of Jesus!
