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April 27, 2026

Confident or Ashamed? Preparing for the Face-to-Face with Christ

By Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Matthew 24:45-51

How faithful are you in carrying out your daily tasks at work? At home? There are a variety of tasks we all undertake, and a variety of involvement each one requires. Some require only a mild commitment because they are small undertakings; others are more moderate, and still others are significantly more time-consuming. The thread that connects each one is our level of faithfulness.

The parable this week addresses a servant who is given charge over his master’s household. While the master is away, this servant is responsible for managing the estate and overseeing the other servants.

The context for this parable is found within Jesus’ discourse on his return. Whether you believe chapters 24 and 25 pertain to the Tribulation, that seven-year period of God pouring out his wrath on humanity, is a matter of interpretation. While that is my view, I encourage you to study this portion of Scripture and come to your own conclusions.

Every Christian is responsible for studying their Bible, thinking through what the text means, and arriving at a conviction. Do not wait for a pastor or teacher to "hand" the Scriptures to you. Don’t get me wrong: Bible teachers and pastors are vital, but they are never a substitute for studying the Bible yourself.

Now, back to the parable. Jesus said, “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions” (Matthew 24:46-47, NIV).

Doing what, exactly, when he returns? Managing the estate in a faithful, responsible manner. The result? The master puts him “in charge of all his possessions,” granting the faithful servant even more responsibility.

But there is another possibility. Jesus continues the story: “But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:48-51, NIV).

It is the same servant in both circumstances, but in the first instance, he is faithful. In the second, he neglects his duties, abuses his fellow servants, and indulges himself. What makes the difference? The servant’s attitude. In the first scenario, the servant is mindful that his master could return at any moment, so he remains diligent. In the second, the servant convinces himself the master won't return anytime soon; consequently, he indulges himself, abuses others, and becomes derelict in his duties.

What is the consequence for the unfaithful servant? Jesus says when the master returns, “He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:51, NIV).

Here is where interpretations differ. Some read this verse and conclude, “The servant wasn’t faithful, so he wasn’t a Christian and was cast into the lake of fire.” I don’t think that is the proper understanding of this parable. The phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth” does not automatically equate to the lake of fire; rather, it signals the intense remorse and regret the servant experiences because of his unfaithfulness. The same can be said regarding the phrase, “He will cut him to pieces.” This is not a literal cutting, but a severe verbal rebuke from the master for the servant's failure.

So, what is the application? The parable focuses on one servant and the consequences of two choices. If he is faithful, he is rewarded with more responsibility. If he is apathetic regarding his duties, he is rebuked and stripped of those responsibilities.

The Bible clearly teaches that all believers will be evaluated by Christ at what is called the Judgment Seat of Christ (see Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; Revelation 22:12). The purpose of this judgment is not to determine whether a person enters Heaven, but to determine their rewards in the afterlife. The point is that for Christians, it matters how we live. God has given us resources to manage, not just money, but time, intelligence, and skills. How well are we utilizing those for Christ’s sake?

It is possible to stand before Christ face-to-face and experience shame as He evaluates what we have done for Him. 1 John 2:28 reads, “And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming” (NIV). Why would the Apostle John give this charge to his readers if experiencing shame was not a possibility?

Ultimately, you have two choices. You can choose to live for Christ, making every effort to please Him and manage your resources for His purposes. Or, you can become apathetic and live for yourself, only to stand before Christ in shame because you wasted the time and resources He entrusted to you.

Discussion Questions

  1. The Master’s Absence: In the parable, the servant’s behavior changed based on how soon he thought the master would return. How does the "delay" of Christ’s return practically affect the way we prioritize our daily tasks?
  2. Understanding Remorse: We often associate "weeping and gnashing of teeth" exclusively with final judgment. How does viewing this as "believer’s remorse" change your motivation for serving Christ today?
  3. The "Shame" Factor: Looking at 1 John 2:28, why do you think we often shy away from the idea that a Christian could experience shame at the Judgment Seat? How can this possibility be a healthy motivator rather than a source of fear?