We are a people who love to rationalize and justify sin. It is as though we believe that we can change God's mind and make Him accept it any way. Any time sin is addressed, there is always a push back, and it does not always come from the world. It comes from those who claim to love and know God. Ultimately, the world will do what it does, which is sin, but you find those so-called Christians, the so-called church justifying sin. As a matter of fact, they are the ones who are more likely to justify it than the sinners. The sad part is, is that they try to use the Word of God to do it.
For example, the scripture that states, "Work out your own salvation.". This scripture is among many that are frequently misused. You don't have to worry about me, you have to worry about yourself. God ain't going to ask you about my sins. Although I have addressed that sentiment before. I would like to focus on the scripture.
Philippians 2:12
Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Taking the entire passage into consideration, what exactly is Paul saying? Your obedience has always been evident, not just in my presence, but even more so when I am absent. It is your responsibility to work out your own salvation. It is important to note that Paul knew he would not always be able to teach them. Do not simply do good when I am around; continue on even when I am not. Further down he says hold on so that in the end he may rejoice and be assured that his running and labor was not in vain. In other words, he did not preach the gospel for nothing and he was not persecuted for nothing. We always stress the importance of getting to know God for yourself. You have to know His Word. Yes, He provided us with the five-fold ministry in order to teach and guide us to Him. In any case, this is a personal journey.
The leader or person you are following will not be able to stand and give an account on your behalf. They won't stand by your side on judgement day to help you answer to God. False teaching and false doctrine are not the only problems within the church. A major problem is that a large number of people are still on milk. You want to be spoon-fed the Word. You desire the sweet stuff. You want blessings but you don’t really want to live according to the standards of God. You want a word that tells you about an unexpected check, God's going to give you double for your trouble. Despite the fact that you continue to live a sinful life. You don't want the real meat of God's Word. It is that Word which tells you to come out of sin. That word that cuts you, convicts you, and calls you to change. You then complain about people judging you. Don't you know that God already judged it when He called it sin? Don't you know that God already condemned it when He said that the wages of sin is death? Unless you repent and come out of it hell will be your home for eternity.
Your leader can preach and teach 24/7, 365 days a year, it is still your responsibility to get to know God. That same Holy Ghost that they have you're supposed to have it too. The more you get to know God the more He will teach you. Yes He will speak to you, He will guide you. He will correct you, He will chastise you. He will open up your understanding. He will give you knowledge and wisdom. Seek Him now while He can still be found.
Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Work out your own soul salvation. I cannot hold your hand the entire time just to ensure that you do the right thing. As an example, the children have been home with their mother all day long running wild. Now that their father has returned home, their behavior has changed. As we say that got some act right in them, you been acting crazy all day long. Now that Dad is home, you are on your best behavior. Despite the fact that you are good while he is with you, you fail to realize that he still expects you to behave well when he leaves. That's when it actually matters the most, when he's not around. What people fail to realise is that God's eyes are everywhere. There is nothing hidden from Him. You can fool people some of the time but you can't fool God. At the end of the day when we stand before God we will account for every choice we have made. Whether we chose to do right or we chose to do wrong. You can't blame your leader for what you didn't know because you should have gotten to know God for yourself. Work out your own salvation.
Remember that God loves you and so do I with the love of Christ.