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Accountable--Who Needs It?

Accountability is one of those words we avoid. It's downright uncomfortable and we tend to become instantly defensive. It's kind of like using "budget" in a sentence. Both of these words have negative connotations, but both are in reality good. Everyone has a budget--some are bigger than others, but we all have financial limits.

Accountability is everywhere in the work world, from a timesheet to using the company credit card. As believers we need to be accountable for the life we live. The word is defined as the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable. (dictionary.com) Humans don't like to answer for their actions. Watch the news and see how people work so hard to squirm out of being responsible for their own behavior. Accountability is living a transparent life, one full of God's light shining unhindered to a very dark world.

Everyone will stand before God one day and give an account of his or her life. Romans 14:12 says, "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." As Christians, we will give Him an answer about what we've done for Christ. We won't answer for the sins we've committed; they are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. But we will answer for how we've lived as Christians.

Paul's letter to the Corinthian church comes to mind in 1 Cor. 3:11-13.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
Life is full of choices--opportunities to do good, do evil, or do nothing at all. Lest you think that doing nothing might be the safest route, here's what James has to say about that:
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17.
It's hard to stay encouraged and live as we should. Many Christians like to keep one foot in the world and one in the church. The lure of what the world offers snares us --making more money, having more stuff, being popular, focusing on entertainers' lifestyles rather than the way Jesus lived, and the ever popular "everyone else is doing it" keep us from walking with our Savior.

If you're serious about "laying up treasure in heaven," an accountability partner is invaluable in staying focused and committed. Charles Stanley warns us "Among the Christians you know, do you have even one relationship that involves praying together, transparency, counseling each other, and mutual encouragement? If not, you may be headed toward spiritual stagnation or disaster."

The reason is two-fold. Satan certainly wants to render believers ineffective and we are drawn away and enticed by daily temptations. Some very special women have been accountability partners in different seasons of my life. The mutual encouragement and counsel we shared are treasured times.
We were designed to do life together--to help carry each others burdens, pray for one another, ask the hard questions so that the account we give to Jesus on that Day will be one that is full of joy.

Comments

Unknown said…
I'd add that if you're raising children, it's tough to teach them accountability if you're not willing to be accountable yourself.
February 14, 2014
Laurinda Wallace said…
I totally agree. Parents have to set the example and show their children what it looks like.
February 15, 2014
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