WE WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT
by Pastor Lem Niere
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money” Matthew 25:19 NLT
No one likes to think about judgment, but a day is coming when we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give account for our lives. The apostle Paul makes this clear in 2 Corinthians 5:9, 10, where he writes, “Wherefore we labor, that whether present or absent, we may be accepted in him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
The judgment is a subject rarely taught today, but to ignore it doesn’t mean it has ceased to exist. But one day we will stand before the Lord and answer for how we lived our lives. For this reason, we need live every day with the thought that one day we will answer for what we do. Make the most of every day—walk in love, use the gifts and talents God has given, and strive to fulfill every task the Lord has given or requires of us.
In the parable of Matthew 25, Jesus taught that a day of reckoning is coming for all of us. The word “give account” is a commercial term. It is a bookkeeping term that means to look at the record, to study the facts, to compare or settle an account. It portrays a picture of an accountant who is putting together a profit-and-loss statement for his boss. He is digging deep to analyse the real financial status of the company.
Jesus uses this business term to tell us that He is never satisfied with taking a shallow look at what we have done for Him! Jesus’ examination of the facts will result in a thorough investigation as He looks what we have done and then compares it to what He asked us to do.
Revelation 20:12 tells that there are all kinds of record books in heaven. One of them is the Book of Life, but this scripture says there are “books” that will be opened, containing records of what we did and didn’t do on this earth. These records must be important for they are archived in heaven itself. Ultimately the purpose is to prove the fairness and justice of God before the accusations of the Devil.
We need not fear the judgment. For if you are in Christ, you are secure. Your and my records will bear against the the lies and insinuations of the Evil One. That’s why it is important to consider this question: If you were required to stand before Jesus today and to answer for your personal record, what would the records reflect about you?
