A Personal Account

June 25, 2020

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 14:12-13 NLT

2020 has been quite a year so far. The spread of COVID-19 around the world and in our nation and communities has been more than a physical problem. Disagreement over the handling of it has divided families, damaged friendships, and been the subject of vicious rhetoric and accusations on social media. Then, adding untold agony and tragedy to our already tense nation, two black men were killed by white men, both killings recorded on video, showing apparent flagrant injustice. Protests quickly turned to widespread rioting, looting, and violence. As seems to be second nature to human beings, overnight this became a blaming debate, with people taking sides and harshly instructing each other on their deficiencies and wrongdoing. For many, if not most of us, it hasn’t occurred to turn the spotlight on our own hearts and actions first.

Unfortunately, we humans do that in all areas and issues. It’s never helpful, and it’s not God’s way. Jesus-followers are instructed clearly where responsibility and accountability lies:
Each of us—no one escapes accountability.
Will give a personal account—you won’t account for me and I won’t account for you. It’s a personal accounting, and my opinions on other people and their opinions, actions or inaction, don’t matter at all.
To God—our accounting is to the Judge of all the earth. He is impartial and perfectly just.

With those details so clearly and directly given, what should be our response?
Stop condemning each other—just stop. It’s not our responsibility. Our opinions will never matter to the Judge.
Decide instead to focus on yourself—focus on the only one you truly have control over.
Live in a way that you will not cause anyone else to stumble or fall—care about the impact of your life on others, and live carefully.

  • Honestly, do you spend more time holding yourself accountable or judging/instructing others? What would the people who know you best, the ones who read your social media, say?
  • Is there anything in you that needs to be corrected before you stand before Jesus as the Judge? If so, talk to Him about it now.
  • Give others to Jesus. Concentrate on you.