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Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Accountable to God


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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