Scriptural and Devine Accountability

There are several different directions this can go, but the focus now is in a more “ultimate” aspect.

What is accountability? What does it look like? Definitions are kinda mixed. I believe the truest would be something like: to take responsibility AND to be able to justify - answer for and take ownership of. It’s more than simply being responsible: it’s being responsible PLUS knowing WHY to be responsible AND accepting what comes with it, for good or ill. It’s OWNING the consequences. Making sense?

What does it look like? That will vary depending upon circumstances, but some examples: it’s not arguing with the police or judge to get out of the speeding ticket when you was indeed speeding. It’s not lashing out in anger just because someone else did. Doesn’t matter that they did. Who’s responsible for you, them or you? Need more or can I stop with saying it’s the complete removal of any and all victimhood mentality. Moving on.

Scripturally, we are going to be held accountable for our thoughts, our words, and our actions. But what’s more, we’ll be held accountable for every single form and instance of disobedience. What we did do, AAAANNND what we didn’t do. Here’s what I mean…….

Naturally we know about the times we specifically sinned. When we stole something, when we lied about something. Lust? Greed? Envy? Oh Lord, but most of us kinda figure on that. What about the more subtle things? God is going to ask us why we didn’t share the Gospel with those certain and very specific individuals, and we didn’t. What excuse we gonna give? God is going to ask us of those times when we knew someone was in need; be it of a little financial help, or maybe of a kind word - very possible of a little grace and mercy….., what’re we gonna say? Forgiveness?!?!? We’re not going to enjoy this part at all.

How do you think this is going to go for the agnostic or atheist? I honestly don’t know. Salvation hangs and hinges on Christ: not being a good person, not following your heart, certainly not “our best.” I feel for those that don’t know Christ as Savior, I really do, because when asked “Why have you rejected Me?” what’s an acceptable answer to the Most High?!?

Think about it for a moment. “There wasn’t enough evidence to convince me,” or “I don’t believe in fairy tales and the supernatural”…… is this how one might present an accounting of their life to the Almighty?

While this seems I’m sidetracked, what I’m attempting to do is to paint a mental image for you. Like it or not, believe it or not, there IS an accounting coming. It’s non-negotiable, consent not required, completely mandatory, and no, we don’t have a choice to not attend.

I’ve said all this to get to here: we don’t like accountability. We have a major issue with it. Why? I’m willing to bet the list of reasons is nearly exhaustible, but am going to make the claim that most of those reasons can be boiled down to some form of “not admitting we’re wrong.” We don’t like to admit when we’re wrong, we don’t want to think we could even BE wrong, or do wrong. Why do you think this is?

I have a theory: you may disagree, which is fine. My theory is it goes back to Eden, and the creation of man. When God created Adam, people were given free will - autonomy. We’re not machines running a program. What tree was eaten from? Wasn’t simply the “tree of knowledge” as many like to say, but more specifically, the “tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Why is this distinction important? Several reasons. For one, we have no indication in scripture to believe God wanted us unintelligent. Yet we can derive that since eating from this tree was forbidden: God wished for our INNOCENCE. One could even say God wished to teach us what was good from what wasn’t - but we couldn’t wait that long.

So now, armed with knowledge of good and evil, and free will; yet devoid of Devine nature, we go into the world attempting to be our own god. I know that statement is gonna rub, but all one has to do is open their eyes and observe to know it’s truth. How often are we (people) trying to determine what IS right and wrong? Can we think of ANYTHING in the world or society which is considered acceptable but is specifically spoken against in Scripture? Can we think of any Scripture taken out of context and used incorrectly? Lemme start you on “don’t judge.” Go find the passage, then read EVERYTHING on the topic until the subject changes and see if the one line still carries the same meaning. Ever see a Christian justify their sin? I don’t mean admitting they screwed up, but explaining how it’s somehow alright when they do it?? Something to think about.

Spend any time on social media? Are we in agreement on what is considered moral behavior? Ever hear someone say “I don’t believe in moral absolutes?” Do you know why they don’t? Because they want the option to make whatever choice or decision they make to be acceptable and beyond judgement, so that no choice could possibly be wrong. For many it’s not that they won’t EVER admit to being wrong or making a mistake - but it’s only if THEY first determined it to be so.

Seeing the pattern yet? We want to determine the course of our lives, but ALSO determine what is right and wrong for us - regardless of what God actually said. Why do you think Scripture repeatedly says “submit to God”, “lean not on your own understanding,” or “His ways are not our ways.”

For the atheist and agnostic, I don’t know how that conversation is going to go. For Christians; I know far too many who are gonna use the “devil made me do it” plea. Oh we’ve read the New Testament and KNOW that it’s not flesh and blood we war against but the powers and principalities….., yet Paul said to “die to self” and “mortify the flesh daily.” Dang, now why would he say that if it was simply the devil we had to resist?? If “the devil made you do it,” why you listening to him? I don’t think most of us realize that the devil you’re fighting is your own strong willed stubbornness to self determination and refusal to align yourself with the eternal I AM.

Understand this: none of this is said for condemnation, but for understanding. John tells us that yes, Satan has dominion over this world. Which pretty much tells us that God has turned this world over to its sinful nature. Abandoned, no - allowed. So there’s some things we all need to know.

Scripture tells us that the Enemy has come to steal, kill, and destroy. Do you think the Enemy shows up looking all Devilish with all the wickedness one can imagine? No. Usually with sweet smelling little lies, oftentimes with sweet little legs (another sermon altogether), and half truths which turn our focus on ANYTHING except the goodness of God.

Yet the Epistles (New Testament letters - everything between but not including Acts and Revelation) regularly tell us that as a follower, as a person in Christ, we are no longer bound to sin. Important to note the usage of ‘bound,’ it’s not saying you are never, ever going to sin. It’s saying we are no longer CHAINED to sin. Bound to it as in shackles, slavery, servitude. We don’t serve “sin”, or better said - shouldn’t be.

So with that being said, why do we still sin? We’re still warring with our human selves in determining what actually IS good and evil. I’m making the claim that with the “knowledge of good and evil”, we’re still trying to decide / determine / justify / what actually IS good and evil.

So how do we fix it? Short answer is we can’t, Jesus did. What we CAN do is the same thing the Bible has been saying start to finish - repent and set your eyes / sights on God. Read the WORD, but don’t dive too deep in all the laws and aspects of “do this don’t do that,” you’ll find yourself back under Law. That too is another sermon. Look to Jesus, look to God, fully embrace the essence of the Holy Spirit. If you’re looking at Jesus you’re not looking at porn. If you’re watching God work then you’re not watching the World sin. If you’re filling your head with the Word, then you’re not taking in fear and doubt and temptations. Make sense?

So in every aspect of your being, how are you going to explain it to God? We will undoubtedly let a cashier know if they gave us back too little change, but how do we act if they give us too much? That’s not a blessing, it’s a test. The little fit thrown when things aren’t pleasing you, is it honoring God, or glorifying your mood?

I’d recommend taking accountability now, it may just go easier when in front of God. Be aware of what you do know, but more importantly, be aware of what you don’t. Ask someone trustworthy who knows more in that area than you. Don’t know who to trust? Go the the Word. But before making a decision, don’t just look for the passages that support your idea, also find the ones that don’t.

I’m gonna wrap it up, as I said there’s so many directions this can go. Compare everything to the Word. Worry less about what others are doing, more about your own conduct. Be very careful and mindful that you’re not justifying your own wrongdoing, and stop blaming the Devil for YOUR actions.