The Inescapability of Accountability – Why Is Accountability So Important?

Here in the United State we are blessed (cursed?) with multi slogans, sound clips, stump speeches and enough rhetorical garbage to fill a land dump the size of the Atlantic Ocean. If there is anything I have learned, it is that what you hear and what really happens are as far apart as Pluto from the sun. It appears to me that each leader seems willing to say and promise anything to get my vote. Some come through a little, but for the most part it is the same old, same old. Americans buy the hype of "change" and the exciting message of "hope" like swarming children at an ice cream stand. The irony is that every one of them touts a message of personal responsibility when he/she knows full well; he is selling "snake oil" to the gullible masses.

Why Americans do not demand more is one of the great mysteries of modernism. However, I take solace in the fact that most of the time our system of checks and balances leads to stalemate and nothing major changes. Just leave me alone, and most of the time I'll do just fine.

The point of this hub is that you are accountable whether you choose to be or not. Everyone has to answer to someone! We might as well rise to the challenge and be a people of integrity. Maybe our leaders will follow us for a change.

I need only to look to the Bible to illustrate this. Joseph rises to great power and privilege over all Egypt. He is second only to Pharaoh. What a position! Everyone desires this lofty position, but every one is not accountable.

Joseph's brothers were jealous of him and put him in a pit, intending to leave him to die. Then they sold him into slavery in Egypt. Accountability: Joseph had to contend with jealous brothers.

Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph. He fled, leaving his garment in her hand. He was falsely accused and thrown in prison. Accountability: Joseph had to watch out for treacherous women.

While he was in prison, Joseph interpreted the butler's dream. Joseph asked the butler to remember him when he gained his freedom, but the butler forgot him. Accountability: Sometimes, your friends will forget you when you're in trouble.

When God exalted Joseph, his brothers, who had sold him into slavery bowed before him. Joseph could have taken revenge on them. Instead, he helped them. Accountability: If you desire Joseph's seat, you cannot hold grudges.

Joseph's wisdom saved Egypt in time of famine, but soon a king rose up who knew not Joseph. Accountability: You're soon forgotten, regardless of your contribution.

If you desire leadership, you must be accountable!

Will You Answer God?

Job 31: 14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

The importance of the accountability of which I speak is taken from Job. When God rises up, when He calls us to account, how will we answer Him? What would you do if God called you to account for your life and work today? Would you be concerned? Would you be fearful? Would you be embarrassed? Would you be ashamed?

1 John 2:28 MKJV And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him in His coming.

Our accountability in God is simple: we are to live in Him, work for Him, stay in Him; and do it boldly without embarrassment. Most importantly “abide” speaks of fellowship, a living fellowship with God.

Being busy is NOT being accountable. You can become so busy working for the Lord that you stop living for the Lord!

God is more than a “crutch” to me; He is my friend, my companion, my brother, my partner, my living.

YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR PRAYER LIFE.

Is prayer a priority in your life and family and work?

"Prayer is no petty duty, put into a corner; no piecemeal performance made out of fragments of time which have been snatched from business and other engagements of life; but it means that the best of our time, the heart of our time and strength must be given" (E.M Bounds).

Rom 12:11-12 (KJV) Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

You are responsible for the proper use of your time. Do you give your best for the Lord?

Benjamin Franklin said, "Do not squander time; for that's the stuff life's made of."

Do you provide yourself enough opportunities to refresh mentally, physically, and spiritually? Several years ago, newspapers told how a new Navy jet fighter shot itself down. Flying at supersonic speed, it ran into cannon shells it had fired only a few seconds before. The jet was traveling too fast!

You are also traveling too fast if you don't have time to worship and to pray!

Mark 6:31 MKJV And He said to them, Come aside into a deserted place and rest a little. For there were many coming and going, and they had no opportunity even to eat.

We feel that just “doing” is being important, but “down time” is also important quality time. I am accountable for both!

An old Greek motto says: You will break the bow if you keep it always bent.

A story is told that John looked at his neighbor’s bow and remarked that the string was loosened. "Yes," said the huntsman, "I always loosen the string of my bow when it's not in use. If it always stayed tight, it would lose its rebounding quality and fail me in the hunt." (From: Our Daily Bread)

From Adam and Eve God has been concerned about the family. He established the family before He gave us the church. The family has always played a foremost role in God's preparation for His people. God wants the family to be a safe haven from the storms of life-a refuge of love, a school of spiritual teaching, and a house of prayer.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO YOUR FAMILY.

Parents are the spiritual head of their family; they are responsible not only for their livelihood but also for their spiritual well-being. They are to be protector, prayer warriors, preachers, coaches, friends, and sounding board to their children.

To fathers I say that no other person can fulfill the biblical role of a father. It is your responsibility. I believe that families are hurting today mainly because daddies’ accountability has been ignored. The major responsibility rests with you! Like it or not.

To mothers I say that no other person can fulfill your role as a mother. Modern values drive you from your responsibility at home but you are still accountable. You are what your family needs most. You are the complement to the father and when he is unavailable or ignorant, stupid, hateful, arrogant, monstrous, hiding and just plain old irresponsible, you have to do his part as well. Like it or not. It is tough but praise God for mothers.

One man wrote to Ann Landers: "Don't ask where the years have gone. Those little kids are 19 and 21 now and in college. I can't believe it. My job is less demanding and I finally have time for them. But they have their own interests and there is no time for me. To be perfectly honest, I'm a little hurt. "It seems like yesterday that they were 5 and 7. I'd give anything to live those years over. You can bet your life I'd do it differently. But they are gone now, and so is my chance to be a real dad."

You are accountable for your family. Don't give your family leftover time. Give them quality time before the opportunity is gone forever.

YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO YOUR CHURCH

Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The church is not a building or a place, but it is people. The general church is all the people of God. The local church is the people of God where you attend.

In other words the church is you!

A Little Rhyme! If everyone in this church was just like me, what kind of church would this church be?

You are the church and the church is you. The Bible tells me why I go to church.

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Look at that word “exhorting.” This is why you go. Your primary reason is not to hear a song or a sermon but to exhort. Exhort means to cheer someone up or to urge them in their walk with Christ. You cannot do this at home watching a TV preacher or on the lake harmonizing with nature.

The Christian community needs each other. Sometimes we are like porcupines on a cold winter day; we can’t figure whether we need or needle each other more. However, we are all one community in Christ. You are responsible to find at least one person each week and confirm him/her in the Lord. This is what church is about. It is not your pleasure but your presence in brotherhood that matters. You are accountable:

Accountability: For the worship of the church

Accountability: For the climate of friendship of the church.

Accountability: For the attendance of the church.

Accountability: For the growth of the church.

Accountability: For the ministries of the church.

Accountability: I could go on but you get the idea!

Job asked pointedly, "If I mistreat my people, if I ignore their complaints, how will I answer God when He calls me to account?"

This principle is clearly set forth in 1 John 4:20:

"If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"

I wouldn't want to be Judas on the Day of Judgment. He walked with the Lord and witnessed His miracles, but then betrayed Him for a few pieces of silver (Luke 22:3-6). He tried to escape his accountability!

Have you stood up and been counted when God needed a man to stand in the gap? Or have you been hiding in the crowd?

I know I don't want to be like Judas in the Judgment, but do I want to be me?

What about you? Honestly ask yourself this question: In the Day of Judgment, do I want to be me?

HOW WILL I ANSWER GOD WHEN HE CALLS ME TO ACCOUNT?