Matthew 25:31- the sheep and the goats.

[Randy Kluth]

I appreciate that.

You are assuming the sheep are Christians. If the sheep are Christians how come they aren't Jesus brethren that they helped? How come as Christians they didn't know they helped these brethren of Jesus? I suggest we as believers are surely His brethren. I suggest the sheep and goats are those in the world left apart from Jesus brethren

Okay, I understand your argument now. As I read it, believers treated other believers well without realizing they were also actually treating Jesus well.

Matt 25.37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Yes, I assume the "sheep" are Christians. Jesus may have said this directly except that he was speaking while still living under the Old Covenant. But he was speaking of a time before the 2nd Coming, which is clearly NT territory. This means believers are Christians--the "sheep" are Christians. And they are treating fellow Christians well, and in so doing treating Jesus well.

Recognizing who the sheep are is understood and the premise for what Jesus meant by the things they are doing. They are acting as Christians, serving Christ.

I agree, to have faith in Christ there must be some evidence of the faith in following what Jesus said and did, (ie James 2) but is this passage actually about that because it says nothing about faith at all, only the works, and works without Christ are dead works.

Works of faith are what is inferrred when good works are done and recognized by Christ as good.

However, you have made a point I hadn't quite thought of. Jesus refers the sheep and refers the goats to what they did or didn't do for His brethren. It reads like these brethren are not of the sheep or goats being judged rather a separate group, but if the brethren are some of the sheep other sheep helped, then that might be it. In other words Jhn 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Any clearer?

I think it's generally understood that Jesus was speaking of the difference between Christianity and non-Christianity. Those who directly or indirectly serve Christ are Christ's brethren, which in today's world are Christians. Just how I look at it.

 

[Peter1]

No he wasn't your either a sheep or a goat which one are you?Have you done what he said?