August 23, 2020 (Sunday)
There’s an old song that speaks of “life’s evening sun.” The song says it is “sinking low,” reminding us that our days on earth are limited. The song goes on to say that when that sun sets in our life, we go “to meet the deeds that we have done.” What deeds?
Here’s what Jesus said:
“Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me” (Matthew 25).
When Jesus said that, his hearers responded that they had not done that for Jesus, to which Jesus said, “When you did it for others, you were doing it for me.”
I can think of many things we do as Christians that we consider important: things like attending church, leading others to Christ, preaching, teaching, raising money, etc.,all of which are good deeds. But the deeds especially precious to Jesus are those acts of compassion and Christian love which help others. That’s what is important to Jesus.
Jesus described a judgment to come in which deeds of Christian love for others shall be brought to light as very important. What will He say about your deeds?
A Beautiful Life
(Each day I’ll do a golden deed)
Author: William M. Golden
1918
1 Each day I’ll do a golden deed,
By helping those who are in need;
My life on earth is but a span,
And so I’ll do the best I can.
Refrain:
Life’s evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days, and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting sun.
2 To be a child of God each day,
My light must shine along the way;
I’ll sing His praise while ages roll,
And strive to help some troubled soul. [Refrain]
3 The only life that will endure,
Is one that’s kind and good and pure;
And so for God I’ll take my stand,
Each day I’ll lend a helping hand. [Refrain]
4 I’ll help someone in time of need,
And journey on with rapid speed;
I’ll help the sick and poor and weak,
And words of kindness to them speak. [Refrain]
5 While going down life’s weary road,
I’ll try to lift some trav’ler’s load;
I’ll try to turn the night to day,
Make flowers bloom along the way. [Refrain]