One's religion is an
intensely internal matter to most, and in the majority of forums
it is even considered taboo to speak of it. The degree to
which we verbalize our faith is in direct proportion to our love
of it's object. The desperate take the stand in their own
defense, the abandoned to their own prosecution.
And
Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves
that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve HIM.
When we launch out in activity for
the LORD, it enacts a divine accountability.
"For unto whomsoever much is given, of
him shall be much required: ..." GOD never
takes lightly the raised hand of commitment, and neither should
we. "And whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men;"
Every moment of our day must be an offering if the sacrifice is
to be living. Of a truth, the JUDGE is seated in Heaven; but the world
about us make up the jury box. Is it not those we serve on
HIS behalf who authenticate our service?
"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of
rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our LORD JESUS
CHRIST at HIS coming? For ye are our glory and joy."
This parable of CHRIST
is very telling of the attitude HE holds toward lazy servants:
"His lord answered and said unto him,
Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where
I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest
therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my
coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take
therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath
ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given,
and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be
taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the
unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping
and gnashing of teeth."
Raise your right
hand ... were court held today, would there be enough evidence to
convict you of service to GOD? Like it or not, we
will all one day be called to witness against ourselves; and of the two
judgment bars mentioned in Scripture, neither will entertain a
plea to the fifth.
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to GOD."