"In those days, there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25.
This verse is the last one in the sad account of the judges of Israel. Remember that they were 12 tribes, each doing their own thing, and even within each tribe, there were clans, families, and so forth. There was not much unity. There was definitely little accountability to one another. And so, we have this sad ending to the period of the judges that was about to lead to Saul, and then to David. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.
Flash to our current day and age. We have stressed to us that we are the one that is important. Marketers direct everything to make it about us choosing. We want it our way. Even when it comes to our worship life, we often choose a church based on what we get out of it, rather than what we can put into it. And when the "I", or the "self" becomes what is most important, then accountability flies out the window.
It's interesting how this creeps into our life together as Christians. Let me present just one example. Think about the reasons you attend worship where you do. Do you go there to "get something out of it?" Do you go there to connect with friends and like-minded people? Do you go there because you were raised that way and it's the right thing to do? While these are important considerations, I would throw one other thought out there for our consideration.
Do you go where you go for the benefit of others? True, you will always get something out of worship, and there are those who are better at conveying that than others. God's Spirit will work, and you will receive God's forgiveness and grace, no matter what. But are you there to build up others? Are you there to hold others accountable, and to be held accountable to the body, as well? Your absence there takes away from the fellowship and the body. So, how willing are you to being held accountable for your presence or lack thereof in worship life together?
When we do what we do for our own benefit, then we probably should expect a revolving door in and out of the church. After all, if the people coming in are only looking for their own good, if they don't find it, we should wish them well in finding a place that does that. But if we do what we do for the benefit of others, we begin to teach accountability, which serves to build up the body all together.
This verse is the last one in the sad account of the judges of Israel. Remember that they were 12 tribes, each doing their own thing, and even within each tribe, there were clans, families, and so forth. There was not much unity. There was definitely little accountability to one another. And so, we have this sad ending to the period of the judges that was about to lead to Saul, and then to David. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.
Flash to our current day and age. We have stressed to us that we are the one that is important. Marketers direct everything to make it about us choosing. We want it our way. Even when it comes to our worship life, we often choose a church based on what we get out of it, rather than what we can put into it. And when the "I", or the "self" becomes what is most important, then accountability flies out the window.
It's interesting how this creeps into our life together as Christians. Let me present just one example. Think about the reasons you attend worship where you do. Do you go there to "get something out of it?" Do you go there to connect with friends and like-minded people? Do you go there because you were raised that way and it's the right thing to do? While these are important considerations, I would throw one other thought out there for our consideration.
Do you go where you go for the benefit of others? True, you will always get something out of worship, and there are those who are better at conveying that than others. God's Spirit will work, and you will receive God's forgiveness and grace, no matter what. But are you there to build up others? Are you there to hold others accountable, and to be held accountable to the body, as well? Your absence there takes away from the fellowship and the body. So, how willing are you to being held accountable for your presence or lack thereof in worship life together?
When we do what we do for our own benefit, then we probably should expect a revolving door in and out of the church. After all, if the people coming in are only looking for their own good, if they don't find it, we should wish them well in finding a place that does that. But if we do what we do for the benefit of others, we begin to teach accountability, which serves to build up the body all together.
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