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Christ Identifies With the Poor and Suffering
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the light, will not perish. Though ignorant of the written law of
God, they have done the things that the law required. Their works
are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and God
recognizes them as His children.
How surprised the lowly people among the nations will be to
hear from the Savior’s lips, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the
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least of these My brethren, you did it to Me”!
But Christ’s love is not restricted to any class. He is the Son of
man, and so He is a brother to every son and daughter of Adam. His
followers are not to feel detached from the dying world around them.
They are a part of the great web of humanity, family to sinners as
well as to saints. Christ’s love embraces the fallen and the sinful.
Every kindness we do to uplift a fallen human being is accepted as
something done to Him.
God sends the angels of heaven to minister to those who are to be
heirs of salvation. It is not yet evident who will share the inheritance
of the saints in light, but angels are moving throughout the earth
seeking to comfort the sorrowing, protect those in danger, and win
men and women to Christ. They do not pass by even one person.
God shows no partiality.
As you open your door to Christ’s needy, suffering ones, you are
welcoming unseen angels. They bring a sacred atmosphere of joy
and peace. Every act of mercy makes music in heaven. The Father
on His throne counts unselfish workers among His most precious
treasures.
Those on the left hand of Christ, those who had neglected Him
in the person of the poor and suffering, were unaware of their guilt.
They had been self-absorbed and did not care about others’ needs.
To the rich, God has given wealth so that they may relieve His
suffering children, but too often they are indifferent to the needs of
others. They do not understand the temptations and struggles of the
poor, and mercy dies out of their hearts. The resources that God has
given to bless the needy are spent in pampering their own pride and
selfishness. They rob the poor of the education they should have
concerning the tender care of God, for He has made ample provision
for them to have the comforts of life’s necessities. They feel the
poverty that pinches life, and they are often tempted to become
envious and full of evil suspicions.