We had a nice discussion in Bible Study last night. One of the things we talked about was accountability. If we have someone close that we are accountable to for our actions, it can help us as we try to follow Jesus.
However…ultimately we are responsible for our own walk. We cannot live a life comparing ourselves to someone else. For example, “Well, Lord, since that deacon doesn’t really follow you in that area, I guess I don’t have to.” NOT !
Look at the conversation that Jesus had with Peter in John 21:19 - 23 (NASB). He had just finished telling Peter what would happen to him when he was old.
Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said* to him, “Follow Me!” 20Peter, turning around, saw* the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21So Peter seeing him said* to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” 22Jesus said* to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” 23Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”
Peter was curious about what would happen to John. Jesus said, in essence, it doesn’t matter. I told you to follow me.
He’s telling you and me that today. It doesn’t matter if this person did this, got this or said that. What matters is whether we, you and I, are following Jesus. We will each have to answer to Jesus…
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so 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 (NASB)
SEEK FIRST THE