We Must All Give An Account

Sometimes a movie or book will include the subtitle, “Based on an Eyewitness Account.” That means the story one would read or watch was based on the word of someone who was present for the events. That individual retells the events in his or her own words and Hollywood adds a dramatic spin to it. This story is said to be “Based on an Eyewitness Account.” Our lives will one day be retold in the same manner. The events of our lives, no matter how boring or exciting, will one day be retold by one who was present for it all. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). The word “account” means “a word or saying, also means an account which one gives by word of mouth” (Vine’s 17). The idea here is that Christians will one day stand before God and justify the life that was lived. I must stand before Him and give an account of myself. This action will not only be performed by Christians but those who are not (2 Cor. 5:10; Ecc. 12:14). There are a few basic thoughts of which man needs to be reminded.

Everyone Shall Give An Account of Himself.

At the judgment, one will not be responsible for the actions of his neighbors, children, parents, friends, other relatives, or even his brothers and sisters in Christ. Mankind is quick to point out the failures of others but shies away from his own misdeeds. God made sure the people of Ezekiel’s day understood the idea of being responsible for their own actions (Eze. 18:20). On the judgment, God will not allow any excuses but will force man to be responsible for his own actions (Jam. 1:13-16).

Everyone Shall Give An Account of His Words.

“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matt. 12:36). Do we just say what is on our minds because, “I thought it, so I might as well say it”? Christ said that mankind would be judged by the words that come out his mouth. That includes the words we say which do neither harm or help.

Everyone Shall Give An Account of His Actions.

“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” (2 Cor. 5:10). This would include the actions we perform in public and private (Prov. 15:3). One may think his actions are hidden, but nothing is hidden from God.

Everyone Shall Give An Account to God.

This should be one of the most sobering thoughts to accompany this. All of mankind shall one say stand before God and be judged according to His Word. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

One day we must all stand before God and give an account of the things we have done. This is a sobering and somewhat fearful thought. Thankfully, God allows mankind a way to have those misdeeds washed away by the precious blood of His Son (Acts 2:38). He is a just God (Psa. 89:14) and will deal with His creation justly. Remember, our actions define His dealings with us in the end.

WORKS CITED

Vine, W.E. “Account.” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishing, 1997. Print.