For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. – 2 Corinthians 5:10
Not long ago, a young woman was attacked in a New York residential area while at least 38 neighbors watched from their windows. And during the course of the 30-minute assault, not even one person telephoned the police. The young lady sustained critical injuries and died for the simple reason that no one would pick up the phone and call for help.
Interviews conducted with the people who witnessed this terrible crime revealed that they were not totally indifferent as many had suspected. In fact, many of them were horrified when they saw what was happening. But the main reason nobody did anything was that each person thought someone else would take responsibility and get help.
Now, most people will never find themselves in such a critical situation. But how often, in the seemingly mundane events of life, do you find yourself saying, “I’ll let someone else do it”? Yet all the while, everyone else is thinking the exact same thing. This kind of attitude has created a vacuum of responsibility in our society where people simply point fingers instead of doing what’s right.
But on the day you stand before God, there will be no finger-pointing. You’ll be judged based on what you did with Christ, and then you’ll be rewarded for the works you have done in the flesh. So in this life, take responsibility for your actions and stand up for what’s right when others sit and point fingers.
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you a strong sense of personal responsibility to do what’s right when you’re tempted to point fingers.
Questions for Thought
Think of a time when you stood up for what’s right even when it was unpopular. What happened? How did others react?
What are some ways you can do what’s right today – to choose action over criticism?