“But if that slave should say to himself, ‘My master is delayed in returning,’ and he begins to beat the other slaves, both men and women, and to eat, drink, and get drunk, then the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not foresee, and will cut him in two, and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.” —Luke 12:45–48
The end result doesn’t sound too good for the faithless, does it? There will be a day of reckoning for every person who has ever lived.
For the non-believer, we are told in Revelation:
“Then I saw a large white throne and the one who was seated on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened—the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire.” —Revelation 20:11–15
Those who belong to Christ, who are redeemed by His precious blood, will stand before the judgment of God to receive their reward. And those too who do not belong to Christ will also receive their reward.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.” —2 Corinthians 5:10
“Believers then, are to walk (live) carefully, so as to be wise or skillful and thus please the Lord. The manner for this careful, precise walk is making the right use of every opportunity, and the reason for this careful walk is that the days are evil. Many are walking in sin, and since the time is short believers must make full use of their time to help turn them from darkness to light. This necessitates wise conduct.” — Bible Knowledge Commentary
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” –1 Peter 4:7–11
While salvation is secure for the believer through Christ’s redemptive work on the cross, a verbal acknowledgment without actions or a changed life or any appearance of the fruit of the Spirit the Bible tells us is not saving faith.
Unfortunately, many people today “say” they have faith, and yet their lives do not reflect a relationship with Christ. They actually have a false sense of security. A believer in Christ will demonstrate a changed life—not a perfect life, but a changed life. Certainly, to believe in Christ is far more than just words. As James tells us:
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,’ but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith by my works.” —James 2:14–18
Accountability—defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “responsible; required to account for one’s conduct”— is the point Jesus is making here. We are held accountable for the truth we have been given, not to mention the gifts that have been bestowed upon us.
Become More
May we always conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, pleasing Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with power according to His glorious might so that we may have great endurance, patience, and joy.
“O Lord, what shame that You should need to beg us thus! Better that others might find us unavailable because of our occupation with You, rather than for us to be so slow to come, so dull to hear, so cold of heart, so indolent of soul. O God, spare us Your wrath! Do not let Your anger be kindled against us. Let us ask only one thing more, and do not turn away. Grant this one prayer more, O Lord, that You would give us all that is lacking in us; intensify our hunger and fire our devotion; take the indifference from our spirits; and have within us Your wonderful way and perfect will, O God, we pray.” —Frances J. Roberts
Further Reflections
“Therefore consider carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.” —Ephesians 5:15–17
“Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.” —Romans 12:1–2