Do you remember Erma Bombeck, the American humorist, who wrote “The
Grass Is Always Greener over the Septic Tank” and
“If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the
Pits?” In one of her books
she writes about someone who lives in her house named “I dunno”.
This illusive “I dunno” is blamed for a lot of things for which
the children in the story will not accept responsibility. Who leaves
the wet towels on the floor? “I dunno”. Who leaves the
refrigerator door opened? “I dunno”. “I dunno” receives
weighty blame from those who will not step up to the plate and
honestly admit their wrongdoing.
As
children of God, we often blame “I dunno”. Accountability is
accepting responsibility for our actions. Yet we often refuse. If
accountability is necessary for society to operate in a civilized
manner, consider how much more essential it is necessary for
Christians. No one escapes accountability. In one way or another, we
are accountable. A good example is the fact that laws exist in our
country that we must obey, and if we break them, we face the
consequences. As Christians we have standards that God sets for our
actions, and if we break those, there are consequences.
The
Bible says that God holds us accountable. "So then each of us
shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). Personal
accountability for our actions is not an option. Knowing the Word is
necessary to live a godly Christian life. We will answer for the way
we live our lives. Christians are also accountable to one another. In
1 Corinthians 12, Paul writes that as Christians we are all part of
the same body. We all belong to the body of Christ. Each of us
belongs to the other. This Scripture reveals the importance of
accountability between fellow Christians. We all need someone in whom
to confide and pray in our Christian walk.
“Therefore
confess your sins to each other” James writes, “and pray for each
other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is
powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Confession to another is good
for the soul, body, mind and spirit. This accountability opens your
spirit to His liberating healing of all that binds you. It is
accountability to God alone that sets you free.
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