“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.” Ezekiel 3:17-19 NIV
The role of watchman–to warn people to change before they are consumed by their own acts–is the same today as it was then. God is yet speaking to people, warning them to tell others to “change course” and seek Him and when we do not speak as God speaks, He will hold us accountable for what happens to others. When we do speak what He speaks and people ignore us, they are responsible and held accountable for their actions, not us for forewarning them.
When loving parents instruct, guide, and set boundaries for their children, it is to keep them safe from harm. But if the children ignore the instructions and do what they want to do, they are responsible for the consequences of their actions. However, if children come to harm and parents have never provided them with any guidance, it is the parents who are responsible and should be held accountable for their negligence.
For it is negligent–on the part of anyone–to see a dangerous situation and not warn others. It is negligent to know that ignoring instruction and rules could lead to other problems. It is negligent to know truth and allow people to believe a lie, without warning them of the consequences of their actions.
We live in a society where many are afraid to speak truth–about any situation–because they do not want to offend others or get on their wrong side. That’s amazing to me. People are more concerned about offending mere mortals than they are about offending God. When we do wrong, no matter what the wrong is–we must be willing to accept the consequences for our actions. Whether it is the president of the United States or the president of another entity; whether it is the justices of the Supreme Court or the judges in the lower courts; whether it is the pastor of the church or the congregants of the church–wrong is wrong–and God makes no distinctions between sin or those who commit the sin.
Lying is sin. Circumventing authority is sin. Being a pot-stirrer–always trying to stir up emotions in people in a negative way is sin. Having respect of persons is sin. We tend to pay more attention to sexual sin than other sin, but sin is sin and there are consequences for it all.
If we only concerned with pleasing God, the likelihood of our being held accountable for what others do significantly decreases, but their accountability remains the same. We are accountable for what we do and don’t do–especially when we are forewarned and refuse to speak what God tells us to say.
Reading some of my fellow-bloggers lets me know that they understand the role of accountability and I count it a joy to be found in that number–a watchman not afraid to speak God’s Truth as He reveals it to me. I pray more people will realize the importance of speaking God’s Truth instead of trying to promote our own as it pertains the end results for all. I certainly don’t want the blood of anyone else on my hands.
maryhallrayford 