A NEWSLETTER FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

VOLUME 1 NO. 49                                         January 23, 2005

WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE?

BY STEVE NIEMEIER

After David committed the sin of adultery with Bathsheba he plotted to have Uriah (Bathsheba's husband) sent to the front lines in order to be killed.  The story in II Samuel 11 and 12 is well known and the part of how David finds out from Nathan the disappointment that God has in David is penetrating.

Nathan basically tells David that he had been given everything by God and if that was not enough then God would have given him more.  However, David failed to live up to the responsibility that God had given him and thus was being held accountable for his transgression.  We see the result of his sin in the death of the son born to him and Bathsheba.

In Romans 3:1-8, Paul talks of how the Jews had the commitment of the oracles of God.  He is describing the fact of the Jews being given promises from God and as long as the Jews were faithful to the Lord they would receive these promises.  When they failed to be faithful the Lord promised punishment to them.  God was faithful in keeping both promises.  The Jews were accountable for their actions because God had given them His law and chose them for His people.

Matthew 1:21 tells us the story of an angel appearing to Joseph and telling him that Mary was going to have a son conceived by the Holy Spirit.  His name was going to be Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.  Ephesians 5:25-29 tells us that Christ is the Savior of the body and Ephesians 1:22-23 teaches us that the church is His body.  His people are those that have obeyed His doctrine and have been buried in baptism with Him (Galatians 3:26-27). Acts 2:47 lets us know that we can be added to the church (Matthew 16:18) upon repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:38).  There are approximately 21 local congregations of the Lord's church mentioned in the New Testament and those congregations are made up of His people.

Each local congregation has the responsibility to evangelize just as the apostles were told to (Matthew 28:18-20); edify the saints (Ephesians 4:11-16); and care for the poor and needy saints (Galatians 2:10; Ephesians 4:28).

In Revelation 3:1-6 we find the Lord addressing a local congregation in Sardis. He considered this congregation to be “dead” because they were not doing the work of His church as they should.

We also find in Revelation 3:14-22 a local congregation at Laodicea being rebuked because they were lukewarm in doing their work for the Lord.

As a member of this congregation let me be aware that if I am not doing my part of working as the Lord requires of me, I AM ACCOUNTABLE!  Once I recognize this as a member of the Lord's body and this congregation, then I can help this congregation to be able to be counted faithful along with the congregation in Philadelphia mentioned in Revelation 3:7-13. This should make every member take note and understand they have a responsibility and will be held accountable for this responsibility---just like David, the Jews, the Apostles and this congregation will be held responsible for its work for the Lord just like every local congregation in the New Testament!