If you know someone who claims Jesus Christ as Lord, and they wear a face covering these days, ask them why they don’t write “I trust Jesus” on the front of it? If you know someone who ran out to get the vaccine and is planning on receiving the boosters, and they speak to you of Christ and His eternal Kingdom, ask them what they’re afraid of. If you have known someone for a number of years who attends a church on a regular basis, and they have never spoken to you of the grace offered to you through Jesus Christ, ask them why not.
I’m a firm believer in accountability, your yes should mean yes and your no should mean no, unequivocally, (James 5:12) if you give your word on something, unless there is an extremely good reason that you are unable to, you should fulfill that word, its your bond. “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.” (Eccl. 5:5)
Everyone you know, including yourself, should be able to give an account, a reason in full for the faith they say they have in Jesus Christ at any time that it’s asked of them, and we should ask it often. Never for our own advantage or interest, never to check-up on them, unless you have been placed by God in a position as a Spiritual leader, and yes husbands, that means those questions are to be asked by you of your wife. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” (Eph. 5:23) But never for the cause of your own personal interest for such is most generally the way of the hypocrite. The hand is just as accountable to the foot as the eye is to the arm, and all are accountable to the Head of the body, Jesus Christ. (Col. 1:18)
It is how we are to keep each other in line, it is how we remain accountable to each other, and we do so not only out of love for each other, but to ensure, as much as is possible, that the name of the Lord is not dishonored by wrongful actions and words.
You probably are already aware of this, but not many people would agree with this letter, the topic is almost taboo in nearly every Evangelical church. The true care and concern for these matters has been overridden by pride, and is exhibited in phrases such as, “You’re not suppose to judge,” and “Get that beam out of your own eye,” You can almost always presume that those individuals are either, to put it mildly, the forever weaker brother, or are only professing the Lord with their lips, (Matt. 15:8) for you will not be accepted well the next time you find yourself in their presence.
“For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.” (Prov. 6:23) You are aware of the verses, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
It is only a lack of desire to be profitable for the glory of God that hold these people back from offering an answer when they are approached, and every excuse known will be offered by them when questioned in this way. And then, as human nature most generally is, in a few weeks or months, they will again be found by your side, speaking as if the incident never occurred. That’s when you ask them the exact same questions, the questions that Jesus will ask them on their day of accounting, (Romans 14:12) when there will be no place to run and hide, and no excuses will be accepted.
