Accountability is probably something you don’t think of often. Let’s look at the definition…

Accountability: noun. The state of being accountable, liable, or answerable.

Great. Now what does accountable mean?

Acountable: adjective. Subject to the obligation to report, explain, or justify something; responsible; answerable.

Have you ever considered that your life is accountable to someone? Sure, in our workplace we may intellectually understand we are accountable to our boss or supervisor, but beyond the reward of getting paid, what benefit is there? Or can more be gleaned from accountability?

Those who are married should consider they are accountable to their spouse. This should apply to all areas of life.

In Christian circles, there’s the “theory” of accountability. If one is struggling, others can come alongside and offer encouragement and support. Personally, though, I’ve found this to be conditional as to what you’re struggling with. If it’s too difficult a topic or, God forbid, require any significant amount of time to work through, these good-hearted helpers fade away and stop inquiring into your dilemma. I believe this has more to do with them not being properly equipped or trying to fit into a niche they don’t belong in just because no one else is available. But I digress.

More often than not, I encounter people who simply don’t consider themselves accountable to anyone. Their parents are tolerated, but in regards to life issues, ignored. They tend to operate by making decisions on their own, without consulting anyone who may be more experienced or wiser. They do what they want to do and never give a thought to consequences.

So, to whom do these individuals look up to? Is there anyone in their close circle of friends and family they actually respect enough to listen to their opinion? Or are they only revering the “famous” few who spew their opinions on twitter, of which the likelihood of actually meeting them is slim to none? I just don’t know.

Where does God fit into all this? Surely, the all-knowing Lord of the Universe should know what is best for us, right?

Some people seem to think they’re an expert on who God is without any reference to what the Bible says, or what the Church teaches, should they even attend. This is nothing new. We all tend to fashion God after the best and most familiar model we know of: ourselves. When we fashion Him in that image, it’s easy to believe how He could unconditionally accept everything we do. And if He should, Heaven forbid, challenge us on our thoughts, opinions or activities, well, then we practice the age-old technique of stiffening our neck, squelching our conscience, and rationalizing our position.

But isn’t God’s opinion the only valid view? Who are we to declare to Him what is right and what is wrong? True reality is harsh and uncompromising.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 55:8 AMP).

God doesn’t change.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes] (James 1:17 AMP).

If He never changes and my opinion is in conflict with His, who then needs to adjust their thinking? God, because He is intolerant? Or me, because He has a divine perspective and my scope is limited?

The reality is we are all accountable to God. Once we pass through death’s door, we will stand before our Heavenly Father and all our life will be bared: the good, the bad, and the ugly. It couldn’t hurt to consider how we’ll feel in that moment and make some life adjustments in the here and now.

Ultimately, though, we really can’t offer God anything other than our love and worship, which should be a natural outcome of being in Jesus Christ. Jesus accomplished everything for us on the cross. We’re just learning how to walk out our lives in His grace and enjoying our spiritual inheritance.

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