Found faithful?

None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves. (Charles Spurgeon)

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. (Romans 14:12-13)

We may not like to hear this, but God's command is clear - we each will give a personal account before God, so there is absolutely no room for any of us to judge another. Our behavior differs from another's, but when we choose to criticize another for their behavior, our behavior moves from good to bad in that very instant. None of us can 'hide' our faults or failures, hurts or hangups. We might try but it is quite impossible to hide such things from the eyes of God.

As we come before Christ, will we be judged on our own merit? Our lives will indeed be evaluated as 'sins forgiven, slate wiped clean' if we have accepted him as our Lord and Savior. Our actions will still be evaluated for our faithfulness. We 'give an account' (a bookkeeping term) for our words, motives, and even the stewardship of what God has given to us to use on this earth and the talents he has bestowed upon us. Will we be found 'faithful' in these things? 

Each day, we should ask God to examine our motives, showing us where any motive is not quite right. We should confess our sins as quickly as we recognize our error in choice or judgment. HOW we live matters. The choices we make reveal our faithfulness to the call he has placed upon our lives. Will we choose God's ways over our own? Will we pursue holiness over folly? Will we face today's trials with a boldness and confidence in the strength God gives or with a stubborn and self-reliant will? These are the things God will ask for an accounting of as we stand before him.

Some of us will be able to identify an 'imbalance' in the books right now. We have been less than faithful in the things we know God has asked us to do. It isn't too late to 'balance the books' once again. Faithfulness is a 'renewable resource'. It begins with repentance, a turning point in our lives. It continues with obedience, one step at a time. Faithfulness isn't a one-time deal. It is a lifelong commitment to act upon truth. Just sayin!