The dark reality of scripture is every person, whether a believer or or not, is accountable before a sovereign God, and will one day have to bow before Jesus.
Jesus said in Luke 12:48, “For everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.”
I think many reject this accountability in Scripture, but it is written in too many scriptures in the Bible for me to discount it. For me, I would rather be prepared for it to happen,than not be ready.
Accountability is essential for any society to function and a believer’s accountability is no different. We are all held accountable in one way or another.
There are laws to obey and if we fail to be obedient, we may have to suffer the consequences set by the officials who hold us accountable. Accountability is simply being responsible for our actions.
Everyone is responsible for their own behavior, we cannot function as a civilized world without it. The Bible is very clear when it comes to personal accountability. Romans 14:12 says, “So then every one of us shall give account to himself to God.”
I don’t think our feeble excuses will suffice when we are called to account before the Almighty. The Bible is filled with accounts of men and women who tried to “pass the buck.”
Adam tried to blame Eve when he ate the forbidden fruit. Eve tried to blame the serpent. She become the first one to use, “the devil made me do it“ excuse. Even Biblical leader like Aaron, and Saul tried to blame their sins on the people in Exodus 32:21-24 and Samuel 15:13-14.
As creative as these excuses may seem, not one was acceptable. Adam and Eve were both punished for their disobedience to God. When David sinned with Bathsheba he paid the price. No excuse saved him from God’s judgment.
We can read in Acts 5:1-11 how Ananias and Sapphira could not shift the burden of guilt. They lied to the Holy Spirit and they were held accountable. They sold a piece of land but secretly kept part of the money for themselves. To make themselves look generous. The important part wasn’t that they didn’t give all the proceeds of the land. It’s wasn’t about giving all the money to the church, it was because they lied.
People who can’t admit they were wrong will not repent and seek forgiveness. And God cannot forgive sin until it is confessed. I think this alone is importance for human beings to bear the responsibility of their own sins.
God’s sense of justice prevents Him from providing His mercy to the unrepentant.
God’s Word says in Romans 3;23, “All have sinned.” Every man and woman will stand guilty before God.
However, if we confess our sins, He promises to be faithful in forgiving us. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness .” If we take responsibility for our behavior, God is ready to offer His mercy and forgiveness.
I think many people do not only fear work, but the accountability that comes with it. Our new generation has a difficult time with accountability because they didn’t grow up with having it. It’s as if it were an assault on their lifestyles and plans. They do not want to be tied to anything.
Accountability for our actions is essential if we want to grow and produce godly character and fruit.
Accountability is a check and balance system that protects us from ourselves and others. A believer’s accountability is accounting for what we are up to. It is the realization that we are liable, responsible, and answerable for our actions in life to God.
Accountability allows us to be answerable to one another, focusing on key relationships such as with our spouses, close friend, a boss, and small group members, and pastors. For example I go to a small prayer meeting weekly that we stay accountable to others. And I go a little early to church to help with the service and have a little one on one on with my pastor. That alone keeps me accountable for my actions, and I know I can count on them if I find myself needing support.
We need to hold to our beliefs about the Bible and keep in line with what we believes so it does not distract us from God’s path for us or discourage others from their path.
Some things in the Bible or what the pastor teaches, and we tend to ignore them. But, I believe we need to be aware so we can be prepared for what’s coming.
If you’ve visited my blog you know I don’t sugarcoat the truth. It’s better to be informed than misinformed. A lack of knowledge leaves us room to learn, but the wrong information actively guides decisions down the wrong path.
From Pity to Praise 