ARE WE SHEEP OR GOATS? In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus reminds us of the Son of Man’s mindset when He does come in His glory and sit on His throne.  He will function as a King, and there will be only two classes of people He will judge called sheep and goats.   There will be a division.  This judgment of the King will clearly be determined by works.  The sheep won’t think of what they are  doing as such, but it is still true the sheep are doing works as they make application of their  faith  in  their   Lord.  On  the  other hand the goats are oblivious to their opportunities to do good. Many people are reluctant doers.  They express the mindset that they have to be dragged kicking, grumbling, and complaining all the way to do good.  The King can see hearts and attitudes.  This, however, is not the issue in this passage. The question, “Are We Sheep or Goats?,” is being brought to our attention, to you and me, as brothers and sisters in Christ.  BENEVOLENCE is part of the work assigned to the body of Christ.  Remember, we are commanded to be DOERS of God’s word and not hearers only (Jas. 1:22).  In this passage the category called goats blindly say, “Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?”  Do you remember Jesus’ firm and direct response?   “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”  “And these (non-doing goats) will go away into everlasting punishment, but the  righteous into eternal life.” HURRICAINE KATRINA Hit Today! Do you know you should and can DO GOOD?  James speaks to us again, “To him who knows to do good and DOES NOT DO IT, to him it is SIN” (Jas. 4:17).   So what can we do?  We can be like the sheep, or we can be like the goats.  The goats might say, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled” (Jas. 2:14-17).  Sheep must redeem the time (make the most of today’s opportunities) because the days are evil (Eph. 5:16). Saints of God, today is our opportunity to do good and come to the aid of those who are hurting and suffering in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Let us let our light shine brightly before men that they may see our good works and because of this learn to glorify our Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16). Various individuals and congregations can help.  Certainly, it is good what   organizations like the Red Cross and FEMA are doing.  We are thankful for these   organizations.  The problem from a spiritual perspective is that that when these organizations fulfill their function, our Father in heaven is not uniquely glorified.  Our Father is glorified when we as His children band together to satisfy his will expressed in Matthew 25:31-46.  As individuals and as congregations, let us be about our Father’s business of helping the broken.   Let us pray that we are read by the broken as a compassionate and caring people because of our Lord and that we will have   opportunity to share with these folks the whole counsel of God. As individuals, let us encourage our congregations to use this emergency    opportunity to do good.  Let us teach one another that we can and must do good as this is what our Lord would have us to do.  Send funds to congregations in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to help brethren and others as we will not grow weary of doing good.  With this and other opportunities, we will do good to all especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:9-10). Some of our brethren in Nashville have been for years fulfilling the needs of those devastated by natural disasters with a warehouse full of basic supplies and a trucking system to get supplies where they are needed to the front lines.  I am speaking about the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort Inc.  More information about this work can be immediately in our hands by going to their web site which is www. disasterreliefeffort.org.  These folks know what congregations can be used as distribution centers to get basic supplies out in the hands of those who have been devastated.  Word of mouth is slow, and many of us are unaware that in our autonomous fellowship such works are being done.  We need not to be just sincere do-gooders and blindly throw money at the problem.  We need to do things decently and orderly (1 Cor. 14:40).  These brethren have been doing just that and continue to excel in satisfying needs when emergencies of hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes arise. Brethren, we must not sit idly by and do nothing.  To do that would speak too loudly that we are not what we say we are.  We are for real, and our Lord is for real; and because of this, we both must and will act. Begin with prayer -- but don’t stop there!  Follow through with action.  Let all see our love for all is for real.  Talk to others in your congregation about this immediate and pressing issue.  Pray for your elders and those who make decisions about issues like this that they might be wise and gracious as they fulfill their leadership roles before their Lord. I close by reminding you one more time what the Spirit says to us in both Isaiah 49:8 and in 2 Corinthians 6:2; “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Lord, let us work to help you see that we are your Sheep!