February 11th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

SOME WILL GO INTO THE ETERNAL FIRE WHILE THE RIGHTEOUS TO ETERNAL LIFE  

Matthew 25:41,46 “Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels . . . Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” 

Jesus’ words are clear here in Matthew 25. The last day will come. On the last day all who have ever lived on earth will come before Him to be judged by Him. There will be only two verdicts rendered by Jesus. He will separate some standing before Him to His right and the rest to His left.   

As yesterday’s devotion stated, those on Jesus’ right will be there because of their faith relationship with Jesus Him. True believers in Him He will assign to His right. They will spend eternity in heaven. 

Today’s verses say that those Jesus separates out to His left will “ . . . go into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” They too, like those on Jesus’ right will ask Him why He was condemning them into eternal fire. His answer to them “ . . . Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.” (Matthew 25:45) “Eternal fire” is the eternal destination for all who do not believe in Jesus, who reject Him, who reject His unconditional love. Without His love they are unable to have a loving relationship with Jesus nor with their fellow human beings.   

Again, the relationship one has with Jesus is the key to eternity. Whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. Whoever does not believe in Jesus will be condemned to eternal life in hell. (See John 3:16-17) 

Prayer: Fill my heart, O Lord, with the love of Jesus that in turn flows out to all with whom I come in contact in my daily life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

God so love the world so that He gave  
His only Son the lost to save,  
That all who would in Him believe  
Should everlasting life receive. 

Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,  
Who was made flesh and suffered death;  
All then who trust in Him alone  
Are built on this chief cornerstone. 

God would not have the sinner die;  
His son with saving grace is nigh;  
His Spirit in the Word declares   
How we in Christ are heaven’s heirs. 

Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son  
Forgives all sins which you have done;  
And, justified by Jesus’ blood,  
Your Baptism grants the highest good. 

If you are sick, if death is near,  
This truth your troubled heart can cheer;  
Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;  
That is the firmest ground of faith. 

Glory to God the Father, Son,  
And Holy Spirit, Three in One!  
To you, O blessed Trinity,  
Be praise now and eternally!  

God Loved the World, So That He Gave // LSB 571