“Accountable to God”

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the LORD. “ (Proverbs 29:25-26)
 
During my freshman year at Texas A&M University, I learned a valuable lesson.  It seems that our class had stolen our Commanding Officer’s footlocker.  After several weeks of hazing, we finally decided to give it back to him.  A specific evening and place were designated for returning our prize to our senior commander.  On that evening we all met in the country with the footlocker full of ice and beer.  To celebrate our truce our C.O. proposed a toast.  He demanded that all of us would have a beer in our hands to be a part of this toast.  I timidly held that beer can in my hand, but never took a sip.  When it was convenient I poured the beer on the ground.  Hypocritically, I had given in to the pressure of peers.

Joshua and Caleb refused to ride the tide of popular opinion.  They would not listen to the ten other spies or to the complaints of Israel.  Against the majority view they stated:  "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." (Numbers 13:30)  These two faithful spies were the only ones allowed to enter Canaan.

The Apostle’s of Christ were also men of great character and integrity.  The enemies of Jesus “commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus”. (Acts 4:18)  “But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (Acts 4:19-20)  These brave men were determined to please God.
 
Jesus, our savior, was the perfect example of the kind of life we are to live. When the critics observed his life they rightly state: “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.”(Mark 12:14)  Jesus was not intimidated by the critics nor swayed by public opinion.
  
The child of God is to live for an audience of one.  God alone is our judge.  All things are to be measured by His standards!  He alone is to direct my life and I am to seek his approval.
 
By George Slover

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