Lessons in Accountability - II Chronicles 19-20 and John 13:21-38
Many people act as though they were not accountable to God for their actions. That is a lie of Satan to cause us to take our actions and attitudes lightly. The truth is that each of us is accountable to God for everything we do. God knows that is the only way to keep us from straying from Him and that is why the fear of the Lord is so important. Do you have a strong sense of accountability to God?
Jehoshaphat was confronted by the seer, Jehu, when he returned from almost being killed in the battle where Ahab died. That was God's way of showing him his accountability. He was reproving him for his sin, and pointing out his faithfulness at the same time. Then, Jehoshaphat appointed judges for the entire kingdom of Judah. They were to hold the people accountable to follow God's rules. I think the king had learned from his experience, and he knew that all of the people needed to take their decisions seriously. When the huge army attacked them, Jehoshaphat led the people to seek the Lord, just as the Lord had told them, and God fought the battle for them. How did Jehoshaphat show that he believed the Lord? He put the singers in front of the army. That is faithfulness and that is passing the test of accountability. God honored his faith, and they received a tremendous blessing from the spoil of their enemies. Finally, Jehoshaphat made another alliance with another wicked king of Israel, which God had to punish. Why did he do that after his previous reprimand? I am not sure. It may have been a personal weakness as I said before, or it could be that he felt so blessed after the victory that he was lax in his decision making. He did not seek the Lord, because he took for granted the blessing of God. That is never good.
In John 13 we read about the Lord's Supper or the Last Supper. The focus is on Judas betraying Jesus and Peter denying Jesus. Why does John focus on these things instead of the meaning of the supper? I believe he is trying to show us all the accountability we have to the Lord. Judas had the will to choose to betray the Lord, but he could not do it without consequences. The same was true with Peter. Jesus loved both of them, but He could not condone their sin. In fact, He took it upon Himself to point out their sin. Jesus always convicts us of our sin. We can choose to listen or to ignore Him, but He shows us the truth. Then, He holds us accountable. We should lovingly do the same thing for our friends. We should not stand by and watch someone harm themselves without saying something. Accountability is the loving thing to do.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 21-22 and John 14.
Jehoshaphat was confronted by the seer, Jehu, when he returned from almost being killed in the battle where Ahab died. That was God's way of showing him his accountability. He was reproving him for his sin, and pointing out his faithfulness at the same time. Then, Jehoshaphat appointed judges for the entire kingdom of Judah. They were to hold the people accountable to follow God's rules. I think the king had learned from his experience, and he knew that all of the people needed to take their decisions seriously. When the huge army attacked them, Jehoshaphat led the people to seek the Lord, just as the Lord had told them, and God fought the battle for them. How did Jehoshaphat show that he believed the Lord? He put the singers in front of the army. That is faithfulness and that is passing the test of accountability. God honored his faith, and they received a tremendous blessing from the spoil of their enemies. Finally, Jehoshaphat made another alliance with another wicked king of Israel, which God had to punish. Why did he do that after his previous reprimand? I am not sure. It may have been a personal weakness as I said before, or it could be that he felt so blessed after the victory that he was lax in his decision making. He did not seek the Lord, because he took for granted the blessing of God. That is never good.
In John 13 we read about the Lord's Supper or the Last Supper. The focus is on Judas betraying Jesus and Peter denying Jesus. Why does John focus on these things instead of the meaning of the supper? I believe he is trying to show us all the accountability we have to the Lord. Judas had the will to choose to betray the Lord, but he could not do it without consequences. The same was true with Peter. Jesus loved both of them, but He could not condone their sin. In fact, He took it upon Himself to point out their sin. Jesus always convicts us of our sin. We can choose to listen or to ignore Him, but He shows us the truth. Then, He holds us accountable. We should lovingly do the same thing for our friends. We should not stand by and watch someone harm themselves without saying something. Accountability is the loving thing to do.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Chronicles 21-22 and John 14.