Christ As Healer- Accountability

CHRIST AS HEALER 

Accountability 

Luke 14:1-6

Opening Prayer: Lord, make me accountable to You in a new way.  Search me and know my wicked ways.  As I look to You for Your wisdom, guidance and direction in my life, I will follow You all the days of my life.  In Christ’s Name I pray.  Amen. 

HEALING ON THE SABBATH

Although the controversy in this story is centered around Christ’s healing the man with dropsy on the Sabbath, the legalistic Pharisees condemned Jesus for this practice many times.  As Christ affirmed the doctrine of love over the Law and mercy over judgment,  the Pharisees were silenced or became angry and began to plot against Him.  Each time the law of love reigned supreme.  It always does with Him.  

Because the Pharisees followed the Deuteronomic Law concerning the Sabbath, healing was not allowed.  Since they knew that Jesus was a Jew, they saw Him as a radical and a troublemaker because He opposed the Law.  

However, Christ was interested in freedom for all through Himself.  That day He was pouring out His love again, seeking to draw others to Himself with a love that compelled Him to heal the man with dropsy - a supernatural love for all who were in bondage and separated from God the Father.  But, they did not recognize Him as their long expected Messiah, their Deliverer, Who had finally come.  

Consider the following scriptures say about the Sabbath: 

Exodus 20:8-11 

Matthew 12:1-14

John 5:1-15

I Peter 4:11 

Mark 2:23-28

John 7:23 

In Mark 2:23-28 Jesus proclaims that, as the Son of Man, He is the Lord of the Sabbath.  He declared that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.  What does that mean to you and how is Jesus the Lord of your Sabbath?

ACCOUNTABILITY AND ASSURANCE

Accountability indicates relationship.   In order to be in relationship with God, we must confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead following His death upon the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life.  Relationship with the Lord is then restored and nurtured through daily prayer and time in the Word.  It is then that the accountability relationship can flourish.

If you are reading this study and are unsure of your relationship with God, you may wish to repeat this simple prayer from your broken and contrite heart: 

Dear God, I am unsure of my salvation.  I know that I am a sinner and I have no hope apart from You.  I again confess Jesus Christ as my Savior and the One Who died on the cross for the gift of eternal life with You and the forgiveness of all my sins.  I thank You for dying for me and for saving me.  I thank You for the assurance of my salvation.  I love You, I need You, and I desire to grow more in You.  Show me how.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen. 

Once the gift of eternal life has been given, no one can snatch us from His hands.  You are forever eternally secure in Him, for when you have the Son, you have eternal life.  Bask in the assurance of your salvation and rest in His peace.  Praise Him for this blessed assurance.

Consider these scriptures concerning accountability to God:

Matthew 5:16

I Peter 3:1

Matthew 17:8 

John 3:30 

Mark 13:11 

Leviticus 11:44

YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE LORD 

Romans 14:12 says that each of us will give an account to God. We will answer to Him for all that we are and do, for He is the ultimate Accountability Partner.  

As He works in our lives to make us more like Jesus, we seek Him day by day to follow wherever He leads us.  He alone is our Perfect Standard Who goes before us as we walk in His light.  To Him and Him alone must we answer for all that we are or do.  

Describe your own accountability to God.  What will you do to begin or further your accountability to Him?  Praise Him for placing His hand on your life and for drawing you closer to Himself.  Praise Him for showing you greater ways of accountability to Him and for making you more like Jesus in the process.  Give Him thanks for your deepening intimacy through it all.

Consider these scriptures about accountability:

Romans 14:12 

Matthew 12:36 

Hebrews 4:13

I Peter 4:5 

Romans 3:19

REFLECTING ON GOD’S WORD- What does each scripture say to you?

Ephesians 2:10 

Philippians 4:6 

Hebrews 9:27 

Isaiah 42:5, 8

Exodus 3:14

Isaiah 44:6 

Ezekiel 20:20 

Closing Prayer: Abba Father, my life is an open book to You.  Purify me and make me more like Jesus.  I abandon myself to You and am fully accountable to You and You alone.  In Christ’s Name I pray.  Amen.