Separated to Inherit

Matthew 25:31-46

Saturday, 27 December 2025

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ -Matthew 25:34

The chapters 24 & 25 of Matthew are part of the Olivet Discourse Christ Jesus had with His disciples. In this chapter, the Lord takes our focus to those who will finish well to enter the eternal Kingdom. Jesus uses 3 parables, introducing 3 kinds of people to help us understand His expectation from us:

• The wise virgins

• The wise investors

• The Righteous and their wise behavior

In all these parables, a separation between two groups is seen. In today’s parable we see that the people are separated based on their acts—their demonstration of the love of God to others.

Who does this separation?—The Son of Man. There are 2 reasons why He is qualified to do this-

1. He Comes in glory – the Bible in several places has described the glory of God as the very nature of God- Exodus 34:6-7 proclaims God as a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, and a God who forgives. John 1:14- tells us that He is full of grace and truth.

Only such a One can take the role of a Righteous Judge.

2. The Glorious Throne – This Righteous Judge executes His decision from His glorious throne. This again shows us that the Kingdom of God is built on the principles of Righteousness, peace and Joy (Rom.14:17)

So, if anyone claims to be a follower of this God must have all the qualities that are seen in the One they follow. 

Who are the people the Son of God is separating? 

Everyone! Vs 32 says “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” 

On What basis were they separated? – Their acts of love. John 13:35 says “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Here are some important instructions from the Apostle of love: In 1John 3:18 and 1 John 4:20&21, the apostle summarizes our faith by our love toward God and to the people around us. Since the Lord Himself demonstrated this love by laying down His own life for us, He expects us to follow His example as we live on earth.

This is clearly seen in the final verdict that God gives in this parable—on to His right, He places everyone whom He called righteous, whose lives demonstrated His love to the needy around them.  

The first criteria for one to enter God’s Kingdom is to be declared righteous. Heaven is not a place for people who do good but for those who are made right with God! This position can never be attained by anything we do— only by putting our faith in the perfect work done by the Son of God—this resulted in God calling them “Righteous” 

Now as God’s Righteous people on earth, they knew exactly what was expected by their King and His Kingdom. Their close association with God resulted in actions reflecting their Master and Lord- a life of compassion, love and grace; not out of force but out of a deep conviction (Vs 35-40).

On to His left were people who addressed Him as “Lord,” yet lived a life of hypocrisy. They did not show sacrificial love as their Master did. The seed of the Word in them did not result in the fruit of the Spirt. Jesus says in Matt 7:16 “You will recognize them by their fruits.” Their failure to demonstrate the true love of their Master resulted in an eternal separation from Him. 

Looking back on the passing year, have you been able to love sincerely and sacrificially just as your Lord? If so, the Lord is preparing His reward for you—an eternal life with Him just as the sheep on His right. 

Remember: “We will be like our Heavenly Father, when we love his children and love our enemies.” John Piper

Listen: 'The Separation'