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for Him in the person of the poor and the suffering. In that day Christ
does not present before men the great work He has done for them in
giving His life for their redemption. He presents the faithful work they
have done for Him.
To those whom He sets upon His right hand He will say, “Come,
ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from
the foundation of the world: 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: naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited
Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.” But those whom Christ
commends know not that they have been ministering unto Him. To
their perplexed inquiries He answers, “Inasmuch as ye have done it
unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”
...
Those whom Christ commends in the judgment may have known
little of theology, but they have cherished His principles. Through
the influence of the divine Spirit they have been a blessing to those
about them. Even among the heathen are those who have cherished
the spirit of kindness; before the words of life had fallen upon their
ears, they have befriended the missionaries, even ministering to them
at the peril of their own lives. Among the heathen are those who
worship God ignorantly, those to whom the light is never brought by
human instrumentality, yet they will not perish. Though ignorant of
the written law of God, they have heard His voice speaking to them in
nature, and have done the things that the law required. Their works
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are evidence that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts, and they are
recognized as the children of God.
How surprised and gladdened will be the lowly among the nations,
and among the heathen, to hear from the lips of the Saviour, “Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have
done it unto Me.” How glad will be the heart of Infinite Love as His
followers look up with surprise and joy at His words of approval.—
The
Desire of Ages, 637, 638
.
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