The Judgment of Love 

 

In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus describes the judgment revolving around acts of love to Himself in the person of the suffering, sick, and imprisoned. But the "love of God is shed abroad,"--(Rom. 5:5)--from the hearts of those who have the law of God written in them, (see Heb. 8:10), because the law is love as defined by Jesus (Matt. 22:37-39), and acts of love are the fulfilling of it (Rom. 13:10). It is impossible to love others without obeying and fulfilling the law of God.

Love to God through love to man may be exhibited yet if love to God through obeying His commandments is not demonstrated--"If ye love Me keep My commandments," (John 14:15)--(that is, keeping the first four commandments that relate to our love to God), then we are as those that give all their goods to feed the poor yet lack love and are really as nothing (see 1 Cor. 13:3).

  
With the two above thoughts in mind another perspective of the judgment given by Jesus in Matthew makes more sense.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many Wonderful Works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matt. 7:21-23)
 
"Iniquity," is wickedness or sin. "Sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4). "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments," (Matt. 19:17). This includes the one commandment which God calls us to "Remember," (Ex. 20:8).

1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
 Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.