We are All "Accountable"

Accountability is defined as “an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions” http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accountability

Accountability is “the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable.” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/accountability

Everyone is accountable to a higher authority.

• Billionaires  -  to the Government, laws of the land and the IRS
• Employees – to their Employers
• All US Citizens – to the Laws of the Land; to those with the responsibility to enforce the law
• Children – to their parents
• Wives – to you husbands
• Husbands – to your wives, to Jesus
• Even Jesus – to God
• EVERYONE – to God

We MUST teach this to our youth at an early age.

Ephesians 6:1-2 (NKJV):  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

An early indicator is when you see toddlers or youth:

• Disrespect their parents, talking back or refusing to do what they are told
• Discipline problems in school

If it is not stopped now, it will escalate with very undesirable outcomes.

The Bible speaks often of accountability:

Genesis 4:9 (NKJV):  Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Jonah was disobedient to the Lord. HE held him accountable in Jonah 1-2 chapters, by allowing him to get swallowed by a whale and spend three days and nights in its belly.

James 5:16 (NKJV): Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV): Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Romans 14:12 (NKJV): So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Matthew 12:36 (NASB): But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.

1 Peter 4:5 (NKJV): They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

There has to be fear before there is respect. We must fear God before you can respect and obey him.

Deuteronomy 10:20 (NKJV): You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name.

Psalm 89:7 (NKJV): God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.

Memorable Quotes:

“Accountability is everything.” – Deion Sanders

 “More people would learn from their mistakes if they weren’t so busy denying them.”

"Accountability breeds Response-ability." – Stephen Covey

One of the most important life lessons for us all is that we all are accountable and must humble ourselves to the ultimate authority…God.