Articles
It’s Up to You
Disciples of Jesus Christ should know better than anyone that personal accountability is something that is a basic part of the faith. We likely know or remember that the writer of Hebrews noted, “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). We also likely remember Paul’s inspired words to the Corinthians, when he wrote, “…we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10), and his words to the Romans when he reminded them, “…we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:10, 12). Accountability — in the end — is certain.
But I believe we sometimes ‘forget’ about our accountability, or possibly do not grasp all the aspects of our spiritual life for which we will be accountable. Sometimes, it seems as if we think there are some parts or aspects of our lives for which we should not be held accountable, or that they are a mere trifle not worth our consideration, but which actually can make a huge difference in our spiritual lives, our example to others, and our service to the Lord. For a few minutes today, let us consider some things we each much make our concern, for they’re the things for which we will have to give an account, and things that will help us to grow and mature spiritually.
Studying God’s Word. There is no more essential part of becoming and being a child of God than this, for it is only when we know what God’s word says that we can even claim to have faith (Rom. 10:17), and it is only because God revealed His word to us that we may know what He has done for us and what He demands of us (1 Cor. 2:9-13; Eph. 5:17). If anyone fails to or refuses to study God’s word, then any claim to have faith will be false, and any desire to grow spiritually will fail. Paul’s admonition to Timothy is just as necessary for disciples today: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). This means we cannot merely sit around waiting for “someone else” to do the studying for us, and it certainly will not happen by the mere passage of time!
Yes, Christ intended that “evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” provide for “the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:11, 12), and this may be done by teaching, preaching, and age-appropriate Bible classes with helpful study material, but the evangelists, pastors [elders], and teachers cannot MAKE anyone learn who does not put forth the effort to study God’s word. While Bible classes may be offered, the individual disciple must be present and must study on his or her own time, and participate and make application. No one else can do that for that disciple. No one can study for him, no one can show up for class for her, no one can make the proper interpretation and application for anyone but self. It’s up to you!
And if those “evangelists, and…pastors and teachers” do not do sufficient equipping, then guess what? You are still responsible for your own learning, application, and spiritual growth. If they fail to fulfill their duties, for that they will be held accountable; but their failure does not relieve me of any responsibilities. I must still do the studying, interpretation, and application. I must still take responsibility for my own Bible study — and so must you. It’s up to you!
Worship. Maybe it exists already, but I haven’t yet seen or heard of it: substitutionary worship. I say it only halfway seriously, but I wonder if such exists because we have substituted just about every other responsibility with some human-created institution! We have orphans’ homes for orphans, relieving us of the responsibility to “visit orphans and widows in their trouble” (Jas. 1:27); we have formed missionary societies that relieve us of the responsibility to “teach…those who are in opposition” [the lost] (2 Tim. 2:24-26), and we have formed choirs and “special vocal guests” to sing in the assembly. Okay, I guess we have used “substitutes” for even our worship! The problem with all these human-created means of fulfilling responsibilities is that they do NOT relieve us of any responsibility.
Especially regarding the matter of our worship, just what do we think worship is supposed to be? By definition, worship is “the reverent love and devotion shown to [God]”; this is not something anyone else can offer to God for you. This is something that must come from the heart of the one offering God worship; it should come as a natural response of every believer to the knowledge of God’s grace, love, and greatness. There is no other God, and there is certainly no other being who has done for us what God has done. He is worthy of our sincere worship but — again — it must come from the heart!
Let us not forget the greatest command, according to Jesus, was that we “love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37); since I cannot look into or enter into your heart, I cannot do that for you. Let us also not forget that Jesus condemned the religious leaders of the first century because they offered up “worship” to God, but not really. Of them Jesus said [quoting Isaiah], “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me” (Matt. 15:8, 9). While their lips offered worship, their hearts were not in it, and for that their offerings were useless. Do we imagine our “worship” is any less useless if someone else is doing it for us? I would argue that it is even MORE useless [if that is possible], for there is nothing in our hearts at all when it is someone else doing the offering!
Jesus told the Samaritan woman that God was seeking those who “will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23, 24), and that means my worship must come from MY heart [in spirit], and MY mind must be engaged in it so that I offer it sincerely and without pretense [in truth]. I cannot be that kind of worshiper if I cede that responsibility to another. Worship is a most personal aspect of a believer’s service to God. It’s up to YOU to make it count — acceptable to God.
Faith. Far too many individuals falsely believe that as long as they continue following in the ways and traditions of their parents and more distant ancestors who served God in some way, this somehow ensures they are acceptable to God and, thus, assured of entrance into heaven and eternal life. Many times, that is the farthest thing from the reality of their condition. It is not any assurance at all to merely follow what your parents did or do; God’s word tells us plainly, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Your parents or more distant ancestors cannot believe for you that God is; no one else but you can believe in Him for your sake. You must hear the gospel message, you must believe it, and you must obey God’s word if it is forgiveness and salvation you seek. No one else can do that for you. It’s up to YOU!
No, you cannot ever merit salvation, and neither can I. But God has given us something we must do if we seek to please Him and if we desire salvation. What we have been given to do, we CAN do; what we CAN do is what we MUST do. No one else can do what must be done for YOU. It’s up to YOU!
