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Accountability

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 25, 1906

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 83, No. 4.

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Accountability

By WM. COVERT

WM. COVERT
THOUGH men are careless, yet none can be independent. All who come into the world must in some way pass the judgment bar. God claims jurisdiction over all. “All souls are mine” (Eze. 18:4) was written relative to the universal responsibility of men. Their actions are observed, and an account is kept in behalf of all.
“As the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine.” Each will be called to an account over his own record as an individual responsible to God for his conduct. The son may be saved and the father lost, or the father may be saved and the son lost, as one does not live or die in the other’s stead. “The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Eze. 18:20.
The apostle says, “None of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.” The reason given for this statement is that “whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” Rom. 14:7-9.
Man can not escape responsibility while he lives, nor does he settle his account with reference to the things he has done in his life by dying. For after death comes the judgment. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27. These scriptures teach that every man who either lives or dies, must be accounted for, and his destiny settled in the judgment. “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Rom. 14:12.
We therefore conclude that no man comes into the world or goes out of the world unnoticed by the Lord. The Lord has a care for all, and loves all. He wishes all to come to repentance and be saved.
The Lord alone can pass an intelligent and impartial judgment upon all, for he only knows the full significance of all the things, great and small, that have influenced a life. His view is the only complete and perfect one—the view that sees all sides and all parts at the same time.
It should encourage us when we understand that the Creator, while knowing all with reference to us that has been, all that now is, and all that is to come, has done so much to save all.
Surely not one should fear to trust his case with the One who knows all things, and who will do all things well. In saying these things, no attempt ismade to define what future rewards and punishments will be. These must be left entirely with the Lord. It is enough for our present purpose for us to know that the Judge of all the earth will do right. But we do insist on the thought that none will be forgotten. We are also sure that no future probation will be necessary for any one, in order to provide a basis for the Lord to pass a righteous judgment upon any people or person. The case of each individual is in the hands of him whose understanding is infinite, and whose love and justice are perfection. What more can any one desire?
Chicago, Ill.