“I was reading in Luke’s gospel earlier this morning,” Stan commented. “I saw something that the twelve apostles did that’s going to be the same thing for me at some point. It has an impact on my faith walk.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“A quick summary of what was going on,” Stan replied. “At one point during His earthly ministry, Jesus sent the twelve apostles out by themselves to proclaim the kingdom of God.”
“When they got back,” he continued, “it says that they gave an account to Jesus of all that they had done. It’s going to be the same thing for me and for the rest of us.”
“What same thing?”
“We are going to have to give an accounting of what we have done with what God has given us to do.”
“How so?” I asked.
“At some point,” Stan replied, “each one of us is going to stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give an accounting of what we’ve done. It is going to happen. Period. And the fact it’s going to happen makes a difference in what I do while I’m here. At least it’s supposed make a difference!”
“I can see that,” I said. “If I’m going to have to give an accounting of what I’ve done while living this life, it’s probably a good idea to do what God has for me to do while I have the opportunity to do it.”
“Probably a good idea?” Stan replied. “Only ‘probably’?”
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Bible verses to consider:
And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing. Luke 9:2.
And when the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Luke 9:10.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you have things for me to do for you and your kingdom while you keep me on this side of eternity. Thank you, too, for the truth that one day I will be called upon to make an accounting of what I have done about what you had for me to do. Please help me to see and to live the reality of that truth so it makes a difference in how I live this life. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: All of us will one day have to give an accounting of how we have lived this life. We will be asked about how we responded to Jesus, as well as to what we did about what God had for us to do. Are you ready for those questions? How you answer will make a difference for a long time — for eternity. If you sense the need for change in how you will be ready to respond to the questions, how is that change going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 