This week our memory verse is Matthew 12:36: “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”
This is no doubt a powerful and sobering verse. It is important to know that these are words of our Lord Jesus. Not only does He affirm the reality of a coming day of judgment, but He tells us that we will have to give an account for the careless words we use. “But I thought Jesus took care of all our sins and we don’t have to fear the judgment of God anymore,” someone may ask. Yes, Jesus finally and fully paid for all our sin. However, the Bible is clear that we are still held accountable for our lives. As Christians, we do not fear the ultimate judgment of God because of Christ’s atonement, but we still must live our lives according to His Word. How we live and what we say matters in eternity.
What should be our response to this text? First, we should humble ourselves as we realize how man careless words we speak. Second, we should plead with God for help to use our words for His glory. Finally, we should evaluate everything we say in order to make sure our words are helpful. James commands us, “be slow to speak and quick to listen” (James 1:19).
3 comments:
Father, prepare us for the Day of the Lord!
Great post Justin---let's continue with sobering texts that seem to take us to that Day and leave us there. Let's all add some verses that will help us---here's mine...
1 Cor. 3:11 "For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire."
Since I work with unbelievers, I keep this verse on a Post-It on my monitor:
"Conduct yourself wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
I long to have the wisdom to speak with grace and thus give glory to God. I do not wish to waste my life or the time he has granted me! But it is sobering to think how often my speech is filled with foolishness and self-centered pride. I am desperate for his transforming love and power and beauty.
Great post..
I just read another post that approaches the same subject concering blogs:
http://www.adrian.warnock.info/2006/07/are-you-influential-blogger.htm
One thing that he said really sticks out:
"We are blogging ultimately for an audience of One, who reads everything we say and will hold us accountable for every idle word. (James 3)"
Justin, I beleive that God would be very pleased with the words you write here and that you have influenced a great number of people as well.
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