When there is a wrong, or a perceived wrong, done to us or in the general vicinity of our awareness, the initial instinct is to seek justice. We want things to be made right. And we want to be the one to make those things right. We feel a responsibility to correct, to redeem.

We often overstep our bounds. It is not our job to call others into account. That is the work of the Spirit. To try to do is an idolatry as old as the tree in the garden, trying to take the place of God Himself.

God is the one who brings all things to account, including every deep and hidden thing. One of the reasons we jump at the injustice we see in others is that it helps us mask our awareness from the deep injustices within our own soul.

As Jesus discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart, he might discover that our desires to bring others to justice are not altogether pure. Now he has to account for our actions and theirs.

We love the idea of God bringing others to account (although we lose patience with Him). But we don’t really love the idea of being brought to account, being pierced and evaluated between the joints and beyond the marrow.

Looking within causes us to fall on the mercy of God. Thank goodness He is merciful! Leaning on mercy within helps us see the need to lean on mercy without. It is God who calls account. And He is good and just.