Called to Account - Isaiah 27:8-9

"He exiled Israel to call her to account. She was exiled from her land as though blown away in a storm from the east. The Lord did this to purge Israel’s wickedness, to take away all her sin." This verse reponds to a question the prophet Isaiah posed to the hearers of his message. Has God punished His people in the same way He has punished the enemies of His people? The answer this verse stipulates is no; however, God calls His people to account for their disobedient or sinful behavior. While it may seem to His people that He is punishing them in the same way as their enemies, His punishment of His people is different because it is for redemptiive and restorative purposes--"to take away all her sin"--not for destructive purposes. God's people are fully accountable to Him. Accountability is greater than responsibility--it is the outcome of responsibility. It's easy to claim responsibility for one's actions because it's also easy to deny responsibility. Unfortunately, we often suffer from a see no evil-hear no evil-speak no evil complex. We're saved so we must not do bad things and if we do--well, we're saved! But if we're called by God to salvation, then we are called to accountability so God can take away all our sin. Here's the reason why: "Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body" (I Corinthians 6:19-20). You have been purchased by God at great expense to Him--the death of His Son. When He purchased your salvation and you accepted it, He placed His seal of ownership, the Holy Spirit, on you. By receiving God's Spirit, you have submitted your own will and life to His plans and purposes. Therefore, you belong to God and He is calling you to account for your actions and behavior so He can take away all your sin as you live for Him and serve Him.