Daily Journal: 23 September

Nothing Is Hidden

Everyone Is Responsible

When the world is becoming more extreme, filled with more violence, exposing the under-belly of hatred, not hiding evil but expressing it openly, and tolerating it, flipping what is wrong to what is right, we remember that nothing is hidden from God.

Everyone is responsible for their thoughts and their heart. Everyone is responsible for what they do and don’t do. And everyone is accountable for their actions to God. One day, every person will be judged according to what they have done, and whether they have sought forgiveness from the One True and Just God.

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

The God we serve is a just God. He is not a God of hatred and violence. He is a God of mercy and love.

Nothing is hidden, everyone is responsible for their actions. However, we don’t have to fear being exposed before God, as believers in Christ, for we will be judged with mercy. Yet, even more so, we are responsible for the choices we make, for the attitudes of our heart. We are, even more so, aware of the conviction of His Word and the impact that has on our thoughts and behaviour.

We can be thankful that we have been shown mercy, and so we must also show mercy. Not acceptance of wrong, but insight. Not agreement, but understanding. Not aggression, but compassion. Not hostility, but mercy. Not tolerance, but wisdom.

Matthew 5:13-16 (GNT)

“You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it.

“You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.