Matthew 25

At last, an update for my three readers. Sorry for the delay.

I was listening to a sermon on the radio today about the Parable of the Talents. It caused me to reflect on the relationship between our salvation and our judgment.

Though we may be saved, we are still going to be judged before Christ in the end. We may have heaven secured, but the rewards can be much greater. We still have the chance of feeling like we will "suffer great loss" when entering the Kingdom, judged by what we've done with what God has given each of us.

In the Parable of the Talents, the master gives each servant talents (amounts of money) to take care of while he is away. The first servants go out with the talents they are given, and multiply them, while the third servant buries his. When the master returns, he is pleased with the first two servants and promises them rewards and sharing in his happiness. However, when it comes to the third servant who did nothing with his talents, but instead hid them out of fear, the master becomes very upset, and tells him to leave his sight.

The explanation of the parable is clear. When we became Christians, we were given the gift of salvation, but also of knowledge. We all know the Gospel and the power of its saving message. But what are we doing with it? Are we leading others to Jesus? Would a bystander be able to identify us as Christians by observing our behaviors and our words? While we may be saved by grace, we will still be judged by our works. When we stand in front of Jesus and have to give an account of our lives, which servant will you best identify with?

At this point in my life, I think I'd be closest to the third servant. I don't know if I've led anybody to Christ. He's clearly instructed us to, it's an obligation of ours. But sometimes I can't help but feel like the firefighter watching a building burn down without trying to stop it. I have the tools and knowledge to save the building, but I'm scared of the flames.