You Will Be Accountable for Just One Life
I wrote something else for today, but I’m going to save that as I have something else on my heart and mind that I need to share with you.
My Bible Reading yesterday morning began with these words from Max Lucado’s book, Traveling Light:
“The LORD will do what He thinks is right.” 1 Chronicles 19:13
Righteousness is who God is. God’s righteousness endures forever (2 Corinthians 9:9) and “reaches to the skies” (Psalm 71:19). God is righteous. His decrees are righteous (Psalm 119:138). His judgment is righteous (Romans 2:5). His requirements are righteous (Romans 8:4) His acts are righteous (Daniel 9:16). Daniel declared, “Our God is right in everything He does” (Daniel 9:14).
God is never wrong. He has never rendered a wrong decision, experienced the wrong attitude, taken the wrong path, said the wrong thing, or acted the wrong way. He is never too late or too early, too loud or too soft, too fast or too slow. He has always been and always will be right. He is righteous.
If God calls something sin . . . it is sin.
The problem. We like to choose the sins we think He REALLY hates. We like to rank them as “not so bad” or “egregious.” Funny how we label the ones we do as “not so bad.”
I’ve read several posts on social media this weekend stating that the Bible says it’s a sin to divorce and remarry (Matthew 19), but we don’t even shrug our shoulders at that anymore. The Bible says sex outside of marriage is a sin (Deuteronomy 22) and we look the other way. Therefore, when Christians take a stand against homosexuality they are being hypocritical . . . they make a point.
I don’t know what to think about the SCOTUS decision last week except for this one truth . . . just because society says something is okay or “legal” doesn’t make it so. Not when we are deeply loved by and love a righteous God. A righteous God who says what is and isn’t RIGHT.
I will not say anything the Bible says is sin, isn’t.
Nor will I point fingers at others. I just won’t. I have my own sins to deal with.
Like you, I will stand before a righteous God someday and give an account for just one life—not yours or anyone else’s. Just mine.
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. Matthew 12:35–36
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Romans 12:12–13
So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9–10
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable. Hebrews 4:12–13
Friends – you and I don’t have to take sides. We are called to love each other, and I believe that means we are to point each other to God’s Word and to prayer. Then allow the Holy Spirit to do the convicting and the changing.
[Tweet “All the finger-pointing and fist shaking in the world will not change one person’s mind or heart.”]
Only God can do that.
If fact, our finger-pointing and fist shaking is more likely to harden their hearts and minds against Jesus and His followers than it is to draw them to Him.
Let’s be different. Let’s be the kind of people that makes others say, “I want what he has—I want what she has.”
Here is my challenge for you…
Love each other. Live in a way that shows you love and trust Christ Jesus as Lord of your life. Help each other. Encourage one another. Be kind and compassionate.
And remember…
[Tweet “There is only one life you for which you are accountable. Your own.”]
Set that one life apart for Jesus, whose grace and mercy we will each be completely dependent upon when we stand before Him accountable.
Photo Credit
It is tough not wanting to be judgmental and jump on the bandwagon. I have often told the church we will stand on Truth, THE truth of God’s Word, but we will also love. Yeah, we will continue to love without compromising….no matter the sin.
We must continue to love no matter the sin, or none of us could stand free of judgment. I loved your post today. Thank you so much for adding your thoughts to this. God bless you!
Once again, Deb, your inspiring message has lifted my spirits and reaffirmed what it means to live out our Christian lives. We are to love above all else and leave the judging to God.
Blessings!
Thank you Martha. There is so much that divides us in this world. Jesus is the One who has the power to unite us. My prayer is that we will let Him. Many blessings to you!
Hi Deb! It’s always hard to buck trends, even when it comes to the understanding of sin and popular culture. I know the only thing that will speak loudly will be my attitude and way I live.
God wants me to love everyone. That doesn’t include what they do, if it’s not what God wants for them. I like that you hold your judgement. ‘Judgement is mine’ says the Lord.
It’s my job to love and to walk with Him. May I always do that, and inspire as I walk, as you always do.
Blessings,
Ceil
Thank you so much Ceil. I completely agree it’s difficult to go against popular culture. I’ve finally come to the conclusion that it’s very unlikely that I will change anyone’s mind on most issues. All I can do is point them to Jesus and pray that the Holy Spirit will influence them with truth. I just want to love and point people to God.Have a wonderful rest of your Monday!
Thanks for this Deb! I have been avoiding the topic because I just don’t see how I could contribute anything. Sin is sin. And, we can’t expect someone who is not a follower of Christ to be following the commands in the Bible. Will getting my knickers in a knot about it all do any good? No. So, then I have do what I can to demonstrate love.
I completely agree Aimee. I really think our best approach is love, share the Word, and let God do the heart changing. I’ve also learned that’s the least stressful too. Blessings!
Dear, sweet Deb. I am always blessed by your wisdom. I’ve been grieved about the comments I’ve seen. So much unChristlikeness. And so much hurt caused. Sin is sin, but we’ll never draw others to God with a hateful spirit. Just one life…that’s what I’ll answer for. God help my attitude to be love the sinner even though I may find the sin distasteful.
Oh thank you Pamela. I just don’t want my attitudes to turn someone away from Jesus because they don’t like what they see in me. I also believe the Holy Spirit is more than able to do the convicting. Sometimes it’s just too easy to get in His way. Thanks for stopping to say hello!
I love your heart and your words! Thank you so very much for sharing God’s Word and reminding believers to love. We should stand out as different because of our love for others, the fruit of our faith that shows we are followers of Jesus! Thank you for showing your love through your words! Jesus shines through your words and is glorified!
Amen. What a powerful reminder.
SCOTUS, Supreme Court cannot replace the Supreme God’s words and laws.
Nor can the Oklahoma Supreme Court in their ruling to remove the 10 commandments