ACCOUNTABILITY
Matthew 11:24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.
With knowledge there comes accountability! One day Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed in, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you Capernaum, will you go be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
It seems amazing that even Capernaum where Jesus spent so much of his time rejected Jesus. I would have thought that after all the miracles that they saw and heard all the teachings that they heard it would have been one of the strongest believers and supporters of Jesus. But even Jesus’ home town of Nazareth he was rejected. They even went so far as to try and throw him off a cliff. How could even the people that saw him grow up, and work among them reject him. He had done many miracles and shown himself to be righteous and holy. And yet as it was prophesied in Isaiah 53:3 he was despised and rejected by men. Even before he came to earth, he knew that he would be rejected.
It is a sobering thought that as sinful as Sodom and Gomorrah were and God destroyed them, how much greater God’s wrath must be on those who reject Jesus! Now among the very people that should have recognized him and celebrated him the most now rejected Jesus their Messiah. Now the very people that he wanted to save would experience his judgment and punishment right along with the fallen angels and Satan himself.
Accountability wouldn’t just apply to the Jews of Jesus’day. Accountability regarding Jesus is every bit as great today. The good news of Jesus and the mighty miracles that he is doing even today is heard all over the world. It is no longer a matter of being able to read and having access to a Bible. People all over the world have access to the internet. Now people have no excuse to look through electronic means to see and hear all about Jesus. TV shows proclaim his salvation, and tell of great miracles that he is doing all over the world. So much of the world could love and trust in Jesus but so few do. Their excuses will be gone and only God’s judgment will remain. It will be terrible for them.
Luke 12:47,48 says, “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Because of our free will everyone can do God’s will or reject it.
So where does this fall into place with a Christian? Well, we know that we will not be punished for our sins,because Jesus atoned for them on Calvary’s cross. We also know that we will be rewarded for our obedience. If we don’t obey the Lord we can not expect to be rewarded for what was not done. An example of this is seen in Matthew 21:28-32. Here Jesus tells of a father that had two sons. When he sent them to work in his vineyard one said he would but didn’t. The other son said he wouldn’t but he did. Jesus pointed out that what counted was obedience. Then he went on to say that tax collectors and prostitutes were entering the kingdom of God because of their obedience. To not know the truth and disobey is one thing, but to willingly disobey while knowing the truth is quite another.
Much of the world today doesn’t realize the eternal consequences that their refusal to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior will have for them on judgment day. Will you? Are you taking your life and commitment with Jesus seriously? We have one chance at this. Let’s not miss out on the blessings the Lord has waiting for all who obey him.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, please help us to always obey you, so we will not be found lacking. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
