ACCOUNTABLE

ACCOUNTABLE

In our lives we are held accountable for many things. We are accountable  to make sure we arrive at our jobs on-time,  we are accountable for the quality of the work we do.  We are accountable for paying taxes, obeying the law, etc.  Students are accountable to their schools and teachers and are held accountable for the assignments and tests they are given. Most people give great attention to that which they are accountable for.  Most people strive to make sure they show up for work on time, everyday.  And most put in, at least, a decent effort at work to perform their jobs in a way that is satisfactory to their employer. Most students go to school on time and work to make sure they make the best possible score they can make on a given task or assignment.  In short, most give effort to perform their assigned duties that they are held accountable for. Most people know that if they show up late and don’t perform their assigned tasks, then there will be consequences.  A worker may lose his or her job and a student could fail an assignment or even a class.  And so, most give effort to succeed in those areas which they are held accountable for.

How many people, though, realize their accountability to God? Perhaps many don’t realize what God’s word states in Rom. 14:12, “So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God.” All people, good and bad, Christian and non-Christian will give an account before God.   Verse 10 of the same chapter says,  “…For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Our accountability to God is of far greater importance than any accountability we may have to mankind. Our accountability to God has eternal consequences.  It will decide whether we spend eternity in heaven or in hell.  Heb 4:13 says, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. “  There is nothing that we do in this life that is hidden from God.  Therefore the question we must ask ourselves is, “are we giving God our best effort according to the instruction he has given us in His word?”  Do we give serving God more or less effort and energy than we do at our jobs, schools. etc.   If we gave our jobs the same effort we give God, would our employers be satisfied or say that we were lacking?  It’s a question we all should ask ourselves and answer honestly.  If we find ourselves falling short then we must strive to do better because God demands our very best.  Rev 3:15-16 says, “ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. (16) So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”  God doesn’t want and will not accept our leftovers.  He demands our best. Are we giving it?  Do we attend all services regularly, visit the sick, tell others about Christ, help those in need, are we examples of what Christians should be according to the Bible, and so.  Our service to God is our duty and should be seen in our lives and how we spend our time and effort.  Remember,  we are all going to give an account before God and the stakes couldn’t be any higher.

- Garrett Alsip