Tag Archives: accountability

“He knows about everyone, everywhere. Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; nothing can be hidden from him to whom we must explain all that we have done.”  (Hebrews 4:13, The Living Bible)

Some people seem surprised at the capacity of today’s technology to see all, hear all, to record all — and with our inability to keep for long any of it a secret.

Of greater concern than the public revelation of our deeds and misdeeds to our neighbors is the fact that we each “must explain all of that we have done” to our Creator.

An important element of discipleship is accountability.  Can you and I, as stewards of the blessings and gifts of God, account for how we’ve spent our years of living; or how we’ve used the gifts we’ve received; or how we’ve taken advantage of the many opportunities presented to us?  God’s word reminds us that no secret will be hidden forever; what was done in the secrecy of a basement — good or evil — shall be published to all from the rooftops, to our affirmation (good deeds) or to our shame and undoing (poor stewardship and evil deeds ).

For these reasons, do all that you can to engage with opportunities for good; to enlarge your influence for the sake of good; and to equip yourself (mentally, physically, morally, and spiritually) with the tools for the blessed task at hand, so that you may have no reason for shame on the Day of Accountability.  – Luther

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“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:12-13, NIV)

The disciple of Jesus should endeavor to be merciful in all of his or her judgments because the measure by which we judge others shall be used to judge us; and the measure of mercy we extend to others shall be returned to us.

This does not mean that we should ever excuse evil, or turn a blind eye to wrong-doers. Yet, even the harshest judgments — rightfully made — can be tempered with mercy if sympathy is shown, and if the doorway to reconciliation is left open.

The disciple of Jesus speaks and acts as one whose words and deeds shall be called to account, both in this world and in the world to come.  – Luther

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“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22, NIV)

Information. Inspiration. Perspiration.

Information is knowledge. God presents every person with the information that leads to life and peace.

Inspiration is the desire to act on that information. It is the bright light of revelation. It is the “I get it” moment. The devil attacks at the moment of inspiration to delay or to detour our engagement.  These sidetracks (often very rational, convenient, and well-reasoned) are effective because they keep us on the sidelines or altogether away from God’s work and, thereby, damping the ardor of the Spirit at work within us.

Perspiration is the work of taking information — fueled by inspiration — to reality. Information and inspiration without perspiration is akin to having a construction blueprint and all building materials at hand, but never breaking ground. Nothing of either temporal or eternal value is established or sustained without perspiration.

Get informed. Get motivated. Get to work.  – Luther

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