Be Ready to Give Account
There is a human frailty that has existed since the beginning of mankind. We read about it in Genesis 3:11-13, “"Who told you that you were naked?" the LORD God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?" 12 The man replied, "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it." 13 Then the LORD God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it." If I were to put a name on that frailty, I would probably call it a ‘lack of accountability’ or ‘casting blame.’
Adam blamed his failure to obey God on “the woman You gave me” - so really, he blamed both God and Eve! Then, we have Eve, who blamed the serpent (the devil, “ the serpent deceived me, that’s why!”)
With casting the blame for their actions on someone else, they failed to be accountable for what they did, and dumped the responsibility for their actions on others.
Our world is in a sad state today because there are very few who want to, or will be, accountable for what they do. This lack of accountability today, has given license to everyone to do ‘whatever’ they want to do without consequence because it was “someone else’s fault.”
According to Webster’s Dictionary, “accountable” means: liable to be called on to render an account, expected or required to account for one’s actions, be responsible, be answerable - as every man is accountable to God for his conduct.
There are many things we are held accountable for in our society. Some of those things are: parents seeing their children get an education, students not skipping school, following the ‘rules of the road’ when you have a driver’s license, parishioners being accountable or answerable to those in authority in the church, students accountable for behaviors or homework at school, and those who have jobs being accountable to their boss to fulfill their duty.
When you are personally accountable or answerable, it means you are willing to accept the consequences resulting from your choices, actions, or behaviors.
I just recently heard of a couple of employees who requested to be able to work remotely rather than report to their work place. Their request was granted with the stipulation that they indeed did the work. They were not doing their work, so they were told they needed to physically be at the work place. They refused. Since they were getting their work done or returning to the work place, they faced a consequence of being let go. Instead, they both quit. These two young men refused to be accountable to do the work they were being paid to do and the consequences left them with no job.
As we begin looking at Scripture today, we will see that there is One to Whom everyone will have to give account, however, there will be no option to walk away.
Romans 14:10b -12, “Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say, "'As surely as I live,' says the LORD, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.'" 12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:9 and 10, “"So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.”
The judgment everyone of us will face will be based on what we have done in our life here on the planet. Realize this, it does not determine entry into heaven. That is determined by whether or not you receive Jesus as the Son of God, crucified and raised from the dead for the forgiveness of our sins as we confess and turn away (repent) from those sins. This judgment will determine degrees of reward that will be received.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have--Jesus Christ. 12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials--gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.”
Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.”
Jesus bore our sins in His body that we might live for righteousness according to 1 Peter 2:24a, “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.”
When Jesus became that sacrifice for our sins, He paid the penalty for all of our sins - past, present, and future. Some have mistakenly taken that verse to mean that after we accept Christ it doesn’t matter what we do, because it is all covered. That is faulty thinking.
You see, Paul made a clear proclamation in Romans 5: 21 through Romans 6:2, “So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” We are not to let sin reign in our lives!
How we live our lives in this world does matter. We are to put off our old nature and put on the new man. (Ephesians 4: 17-24)
The Holy Spirit helps us to grow into the image of Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18, “so all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” It is important that we understand this process because 1 John 3:2 and 3 also says , “Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.”
1 John 4:16 and 17, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.” When we become like Jesus in every way, then we can face judgment with confidence!
No one is exempt, no one will walk away. All will die once and then the judgment. Hebrews 9:27, “And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment.”
To understand some of what God’s expectations will be regarding us in that day of judgment, we will look at those things which God has told us to do as stewards of His creation. As we look at these Scriptures, keep in mind, this is the duty God also gave to Adam and Eve in the Garden.
1 Corinthians 4:1 and 2 (Amplified Bible), “1 So then, let us (who minister) be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards (trustees, administrators) of the mysteries of God (that He chooses to reveal. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required (as essential and demanded) of stewards that one be found faithful and trustworthy.” In Scripture, the word “steward” lends itself to the idea of an ‘overseer’ or ‘manager’ over someone else’s matters. The Greek word used is ‘Albayeth’ which literally means “man of the house.”
A great Biblical example of a ‘steward’ is Joseph who was given, oversight of all that Potiphar owned. (Genesis 39:4). A modern day example would be the foreman of a ranch.
God expects us to be good stewards of all He has given us. As such, we should do everything we do as thought doing it for Him. We see this exhortation in Colossians 3:23, “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
Let’s look at what the Scriptures reveal to us concerning being stewards.
1 Peter 4:10 (NASB20), “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God.”
1 Corinthians 4:2, “Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.” The word ‘faithful‘ means: of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties.
Matthew 12:36 and 37, “And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you." We must be good stewards of our words!
Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”
Psalm 19:14 (Good News Translation), “May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer!”
Psalm 141:3 (Amplified Bible), “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips (to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly).
1 Thessalonians 2:4 (Good News Translation), “Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people but to please God, who tests our motives.”
Mark 16:15, “And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
Matthew 6:20, “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” We are to be stewards of the money (our treasures) the Lord has entrusted to us.
1 Timothy 6:17 and 18, “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”
Proverbs 3:9 (NASB20), “Honor the LORD from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce.”
Proverbs 22:9 (NASB20), “One who is generous will be blessed, Because he gives some of his food to the poor.”
The Lord will reward you for the good you do. Ephesians 6:8a, “Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do”
Revelation 22:12 (NASB20), “"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.”
John 14:23a (NKJV), “"Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” Be accountable to Him and obey His Word.
The Scriptures we have looked at today gives us direction regarding God’s expectations of what we are to do with those things He has blessed us with.
The following is a list of practical action you can take to help you to choose to be accountable: Consciously choose to take ownership for your life.
No only do you have to make choices and take actions which align with the Word of God, you need to remove faulty thinking and excuses.
You hold yourself accountable for your choices. No casting blame!
My goal has been to encourage you in your understanding that God has called you to be a good steward, manager, or overseer of those things He has blessed you with. It is not simply a suggestion. It is vital for you to know that you will one day face Him in judgment. In that day, you will give account for those things you have done.
Once again: Romans 10b-12, “Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say, "'As surely as I live,' says the LORD, 'every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.'" 12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.
NKJV - New King James Version
NASB20 - New American Standard Bible 2020
If not indicated the other Scriptures are from the NLT - New Living Translation