Are God's Standards Too Difficult to Honor?

Someone recently proclaimed, “I owe it to myself to get as much out of life as possible. I intend to live life to the fullest.” These words echoed a familiar mantra from two groups. The first group has little regard for accountability. Reminds me of the prodigal son.

In the second group, how they measure up is decided by God himself. Stop and think for a moment how you rank yourself as a member of the family of Jesus Christ. Consider how you serve, the courage you expend in seeking excellence in all areas of your life.

Revelation 2:4-5 refers to a group of Christians who compromised their faith. When they tried to infiltrate the church at Ephesus, their attempt was rejected. Those faithful to Christ believed a day of reckoning was coming for failing to uphold the values of Christ. Never compromise or turn loose of your love for Christ. 

In him there is peace and security.

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Whatever you do, work at it with [your whole being], as though you were working for the Lord God and not for people. Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people.

 ~Colossians 3:23-24 Good News Bible 

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What Is the Most Difficult Battle You Have to Fight?

Comparing yourself to other people is unavoidable. It’s a way to measure your achievements against what others have achieved. The negative effect of comparing yourself to others is discovering personal deficiencies that generate discouragement.

How important you are, should be determined by God’s grace and mercy. Is your importance measured by opportunities to serve God, by how much you’ve learned, or through the courage expended seeking excellence each day of your life? Being too tired and weary signals burnout.

Refuse to be defeated in your struggle against evil and temptation. In Eugene Peterson’s The Message, the Apostle John advanced this challenge: “You walked away from your first love. Why? What’s going on? Do you realize how far you’ve fallen? Turn back! Rediscover your early first love. There is no time to waste.” Never let go of reaching for excellence in your love for Christ Jesus. 

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Words from Saint Paul: “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 

~1 Corinthians 15:9-10 New International Version

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How Does Striving for Excellence Come into Being?

Accountability is an enduring summons that is met either with acceptance and enthusiasm or is pushed aside and rejected. Yes, it is possible to avoid responsibility for life’s choices and decisions whether  they’re positive or negative.

In truth, most people take advantage of opportunities that come their way. Pursuing excellence potentially promises an elevated meaning and purpose for life. Accountability strives to achieve the highest good that’s determined by your intelligence and other innate abilities.

For the Christian, this includes viewing life as an opportunity to be used by God to further his plan and purpose for your life. Pursuing excellence derives from believing you consistently do your best to achieve what’s possible. God is at work to give you an attitude of being worthy of the time you’re given in this life. When you are completely committed to Jesus Christ, striving for excellence is joyful.

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If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care, then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. 

~Philippians 2:1-2 The Message

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Should Anything Limit Striving for Accountability?

Do you think the word excellence has lost its appeal today as it applies to employment, education, morality, and ethics? Does excellence today identify what is only partially good and acceptable? Initially, loving God meant loving him without flaws.

When asked by his detractors, “What is the greatest commandment God gave us?” Jesus responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”

Accountability is dependent on striving for excellence regardless of  your limitations. Galatians 5:22-23 offers encouragement: “For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These attributes empower you to strive for the highest standard that pleases God while enriching your soul.

So be receptive as the Holy Spirit performs his transforming work in you.                   

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In a race, everyone runs but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest, you must deny yourself many things that would keep you from doing your best. 

~1 Corinthians 9: 24-25a The Living Bible

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Have You Ever Thought of Yourself as Being Excellent?

When you think of something being defined as excellent, does it include superior quality like an excellent dinner that was outstanding? Have you thought of yourself as achieving excellence in any area of your personal life? Perhaps you were a 4.0 honor student or better.

Alexander the Great was an excellent military strategist. Herod the Great gained distinction for building an impressive temple in Jerusalem. Both of these famous leaders, however, had a dark side for which they had to be accountable.

Being accountable includes giving a personal evaluation of how you’ve lived by doing what was required. Jesus experienced deep sorrow and anxious moments in the Garden of Gethsemane, but when it came time to do what God sent him to accomplish, he gave himself completely. 

What does God expect of you that will prompt you to give an excellent report of yourself?                  

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You yourself must be an example to [others] of good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect your love of the truth and the fact that you are in dead earnest about it. Your conversation should be so sensible and logical that anyone who wants to argue will be ashamed … because there won’t be anything to criticize in anything you say. 

Titus 2:7-8 The Living Bible 

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Is Accountability Entirely Worthwhile?

In a letter to Aristotle, Alexander the Great, wrote, “I would rather excel in the knowledge of what is excellent than in the extent of my personal power and dominion.” Alexander had conquered a large extent of the known world by 323 BC when he died at age 32.

Aristotle had recognized Alexander’s potential as a youngster and instilled in him that he was accountable for his giftedness and destiny. Accountability includes striving for the highest level of excellence determined by your intelligence and other innate abilities.

Accountability acknowledges giftedness and strives to use it for the benefit of others. Jesus was accountable to God his Father for emptying himself of all privileges to be a servant so you could have abundant life. Think then of what Jesus gave up and what you have gained by his sacrifice. Jesus never faltered in his purpose to serve God his Father. Can you adequately express your gratitude to him?

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There is nothing that can be hid from God; everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes. And it is to him that we must all give an account of ourselves. 

~Hebrews 4:13 Good News Bible

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Are There Limits to Our Accountability?

Accepting accountability evolves and changes, which in turn presents a continuous challenge on how to cope with problems that must be faced. Actually, we try to keep problems suppressed until a crisis or stressful event threatens exposure.

At this point self-regulation, or the ability to manage your emotions, behavior and speech, may be pushed to a breaking point. You are aware of unhealthy coping strategies that are triggered by unexpected changes. Healthy self-regulation demands self-control.

Accountability is being aware that every decision has a reality factor and you are responsible for that reality. Self-regulation made strong by God’s presence is a powerful coping strategy. Remember, God cares of his people, so he makes certain you know he is by your side. 

These are  wonderful words of encouragement and help. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!        

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Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

~Proverbs 25:28 New International Version

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

~Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version

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