ACCOUNTABILITY – “INDIVIDUALS” AND “NATIONS”

Accountability, as found in the Bible, the written Word of God, is of utmost significance to God. For the LORD Jesus, our Creator and Redeemer, accountability is of utmost importance. There is no compromise on this aspect.
– “11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:11-12
– “36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” – Matthew 12:36
– “27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” – Matthew 16:27
– “5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” – 1 Peter 4:5

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines accountability in the following words. It helps us to see clearly what is accountability made up of, and what is expected from us.
– “the quality or state of being accountable; an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.” – Merriam-Webster Dictionary

The Parable of Talents [Matthew 25:14-30] is a parable of accountability. It is a question of “What have we done, with what was entrusted to our care?” Accountability applies to individuals as well as nations. Each of us, be it individuals or nations, we are entrusted with a whole lot of things by God. Therefore, it is but natural that the LORD Jesus expect from us a detailed account of all what we have done with what was entrusted to our care. The LORD is not slack in asking us for an account – let us be aware of it.
– “…accountability is seen as understanding and upholding the responsibilities you have been given, or have volunteered to take, in order that whatever job or task you have is completed to the best of your ability.” – Blair Parke

For the God of the Bible, accountability is of paramount importance. There is no compromise on it; neither is there any dilution of it; there are no favourites for God; neither does God gives lenience to any, because of our past.  Each of us are entrusted with a lot of things; and each of us have to give an account of all what we have done, to the One who gave them to us.

If ever we fail to live upto the expectations; if we fail because of our sin, then the best thing for us to do is to run to God, confess our sin – our failure – seek Him for the needed strength to live according to His standards, and continue to walk on the Narrow Path. The LORD is kind, gracious and merciful towards all who are honest and transparent in their confession about our failures. Even this is part of accountability framework that God of the Bible had established.

May we always desire to live for God. Let us always seek Him for His grace and strength, to live for Him in all aspects of our lives. Let us never hesitate to run to the LORD Jesus, whenever we fail, and seek His grace and mercy. Let us desire to walk faithfully and obediently despite our human frailty. Let us be eager and willing to give an an honest and transparent account of our doings. The LORD Jesus will surely help us to live for Him. HalleluYah!!!