Topic: Be Accountable
Text: 2 Samuel 12:1-5
Key Verse: Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, accuse me now in the presence of the Lord and the king he has chosen. Have I taken anybody’s cow or anybody’s donkey? Have I cheated or oppressed anyone? Have I accepted a bribe from anyone? If I have done any of these things, I will pay back what I have taken.” – 1 Samuel 12:3 GNT

Have you thought of a day in the distant future when you will have to give an account of your stewardship as a Christian, worker, or parent? Do you have a habit of intentional evaluation of your life? Without a resolve now to determine the kind of outcome you want in the future, you may not likely set the right goals, and you may end up with a legacy different from what you had imagined.

Samuel invited the people to evaluate his stewardship as a leader among them, something very few leaders of our time will do. Either because we live double lives or we are afraid of being judged. Jesus modeled a life of accountability we can emulate.

Jesus went to the territory near the town of Caesarea Philippi, where he asked his disciples, \”Who do people say the Son of Man is?” What about you?” he asked them. “Who do you say I am?” – Matthew 16:13,15
GNT

Do not be afraid to hear the truth while you have a chance to make amends; it will also tell you how well you have communicated your life mission.

Jesus went about doing good, but he needed to know how people perceived him; he was not seeking approval or praise of men but was doing an appraisal that would help him stay on course and in alignment with the will of God.

Samuel must have done a self-appraisal before appearing before the people. Today is a good day to assess yourself.

Examine me and test me, Lord; judge my desires and thoughts. – Psalm 26:2 GNT

If we would examine ourselves first, we would not come under God’s judgment. – 1 Corinthians 11:31 GNT

The people had nothing to accuse Samuel of; neither could the devil accuse Jesus of anything. If your children, family, colleagues at work, or co-laborers in the kingdom have to answer questions about your stewardship, what would their answer be?

I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me] – John 14:30 AMP

I encourage you to find some accountability partners( People who know you), take some assessment tests, and review them together. You can start with your spouse, family, and pastor. Be determined to make the necessary changes required to get a better assessment. Don’t wait till the last day to see your backside; seek the truth when it counts.

I know the devil is the accuser of the brethren, so don’t ask him to appraise you, instead let the Lord show you who you are. Get a journal and listen to God; just as the churches in Revelation had their appraisal, God is willing to give you the picture he sees about you so you can repent and work towards perfection.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: “This is the message from the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know what you are doing; I know that you have the reputation of being alive, even though you are dead! – Revelation 3:1GNT

“I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other!” – Revelation 3:15 GNT

Prayer

May the Lord help you live your life intentionally so that you will receive a good commendation in the end in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor Ada

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash