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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Should God Always Be Consulted for Guidance?

Coping with the problems of life is not a matter of if there will be issues, but how they are resolved. All children, as well as adults, will have to face the problems of life. Children learn from their parents that problems are a normal part of human existence.

Constructively coping with problems includes facing what needs to be done to resolve issues. Courage derives from realizing accountability is associated with how problems are managed. Self-regulation is the key to success or failure.

Being accountable admits that failure is a good teacher. Facing life’s difficulties takes into consideration that being corrected is necessary for making appropriate choices. Impulsively making an important choice while neglecting to consult God for guidance is a recipe for failure. Consulting God for guidance is a step of faith and trust as well as a wonderful privilege.

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Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

~Psalm 37:4 New International Version        

“So do not fear, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

~Isaiah 41:10 New International Version

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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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