Why Should You Always Do What Is Good and Right?

The way courage fits in with being accountable is portrayed as modern day heroes who will spontaneously rescue someone in trouble. The majority of these heroes are not seeking fame. Instead, these acts of bravery are a normal human response to dangerous situations.

Does accountability have to be taught to us? Accountability is governed by the strength of courage that is closely bound up with a person’s moral and spiritual values. The indwelling Holy Spirit strengthens the will to do what is good and right.

Doing what is good and right simply because it is good and right is a simple definition of accountability. However it still requires courage to overcome any cause of hesitation.

Courage derives from confidence that the Lord God is your defense and power and his strength is your support and security. With this solid underpinning, it is possible to face whatever life presents. 

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Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ – that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

~Colossians 3:2 The Message

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What Are the Attributes That Define Character?

Accountability and responsibility are both firmly bound up in faith but can be ignored if strength of character is deficient. Hosea 8:7 reminds us if we sow the wind we will reap the whirlwind by rejecting what God has called us to be with our lives.

This truth is spelled out by Samuel Smiles: “Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.” His poem implies accountability is unavoidable.

Our character and destiny are measured by courage, accountability,  and faith. Personal growth in faith and trust clears the way for walking humbly before God. Micah 6:8 is instructive. “The Lord has told us what he requires, and that is to do what is just, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” The Lord God empowers you to be accountable as you trust in him. 

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For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do.

~Galatians 5:17 Good News Bible

 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

~Matthew 26:41 New International Version

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How Difficult Is It to Be Strong and Courageous?

Is courage the primary emotional and moral factor for determining accountability? It might be proposed that fear is main focal point for taking responsibility to do what is required. However, courage to take action may spring forth from God’s prompting.

In the movie The Red Badge of Courage, Audie Murphy portrayed a man consumed by fear who ran away from battle during the Civil War. He hid his betrayal by pretending to be wounded. Courage later helped him overcome his fear, betrayal, and lies.

Fear is normal, but it doesn’t have to prevent a person from doing what is right. Deuteronomy 31:6 presents a challenge: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord God goes with you; he will never leave nor forsake you.” These words encourage you to be accountable to God for the faith he has given you by continuing to remain true and loyal to him.

No temptation has seized you except what in common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it. 

~1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version

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What Is Required for Being Willing to Show Mercy?

Each person will at some point be called upon to act courageously in defense of personal values or for protection of family and friends. Courage is also associated with defending what is socially right and just.

Remember this story? Robbers beat a man almost to death and left him by the roadside. Two religious leaders passed by, looked at the man, and walked on. Finally, a Good Samaritan stopped and compassionately attended to the man’s wounds, saved his life and provided continuing care.

Did that act of mercy take courage? This man prioritized his ethics and humanity and acted with compassion. What evidently inspired him to care for this dying man was his need for a clear conscience and being free of shame and guilt. You can be committed to the Apostle Paul’s directive from 1 Corinthians 16:13-14: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous and strong. Show God’s love in everything you do.”

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

~Colossians 3:12  New International Version

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What Rewards Are You Expecting from God?

What’s so difficult about being a servant or being thought of as a servant is the negative identity that is associated with being a servant to others. It creates an attitude of thinking that you do not measure up socially. Yet God calls each Christian to serve others.

It’s difficult to believe each person is accountable for the quality of service rendered to God and others. Quality of service refers to knowing what you do is for God’s personal glory and not your own glory. So what makes serving God and others so special?

Listen to Galatians 6:9. “Let us not become tired or weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The harvest is the reward of experiencing God’s favor and having your life enriched with a godly purpose where you lay up treasure in heaven that makes you worthy to be invited to enter God’s Kingdom.

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Blessed is the one who remains faithful when tempted, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love him.

~James 1:12 New International Version/Good News Bible

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What Is Objectionable About Being a Servant?

Whether work is perceived as fulfilling and purposeful or as drudgery and entrapment is a choice. Fellow employees and supervisors may be viewed with contempt and resentment or as individuals God has placed in my life to teach me how to be a servant.

The idea of being a servant may be hard to swallow because both our goal and attitude are to be an authority figure. What isn’t given any honest consideration is how do I measure up as a servant? The answer depends on how I personally define servanthood.

Servanthood has traditionally carried the overtone of being under the authority of others. From a Christian’s viewpoint, being a servant of God is the most blessed position a person could hope to attain. 

So your mindset will be that as I serve God with humility and thanksgiving, I am privileged to also be available to serve others. God will supply you with patience and humility to be a servant to others.

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You were chosen to be free. ... Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.

~Galatians 5:13 Contemporary English Version

For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 

~Hebrews 6:10 New International Version 

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What Makes Serving Others Joyful?

The idea of being a servant has fallen out of favor today regardless of social status. Being served by others is more acceptable, for it conveys authority, power, and privilege. However we do serve others, whether at home, work, or play.

Serving can be a joyful experience that delights the heart and soul, or it can produce an attitude of resentment and contempt. Whichever attitude is present depends on self-perception. Do I see myself as above serving others because entitlement confers on me the right to be served?

Jesus made it absolutely clear he came into the world to serve and to give his life to redeem mankind. Jesus obviously saw a higher purpose in serving others, and that higher purpose was to please God. Think of being a servant as laying up treasures in heaven where the rewards are eternal. If being a servant was preferable to Jesus, then it must be good and honorable. 

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And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 

~2 Timothy 2:24 New International Version

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