accountability

Not to long ago I have been thinking much about the aspect of accountability in a christian's life. Although it is not something new, but its fundamental truths has such a big influence in a christian's walk with God that I have struggled to find an appropriate manner to share these thoughts.

Being accountable is not something foreign to many of us. However I have been moved to think about how much exactly am I accountable in my walk as a christian? Will I pass the test if others would examine my life thoroughly? I think I would fail miserably, let alone being held accountable in the eyes of God. I find that the lack of accountability can seriously cripple the growth of a child of God. It is so easy to fall into the trap of complacency just because we are not accountable for what we do. On the other hand, being accountable to others gives us the initiative to get on our feet and constantly remind ourselves that we have a responsibility in glorifying God in all that we do, which in return also paves the way to being closer to the Lord.

As I dwell upon these thoughts I cannot help but think of the perfect example of accountability that the Lord Jesus has potrayed in his life and ministry. When we consider He who has no sin, we have one who is accountable not only to men, but one who is accountable to God the Father as well. No one has ever pleased the Father as did the Son when He presented Himself as the perfect sacrifice on the cross. He was an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.(Eph 5:2) He is the altogether lovely one. With His full accountability until the point where He gave up his final breath on the cross, He is now ever so close to the Father, seated at the right hand of God where He rightfully deserves. Isn't that a wonderful thought? Shouldn't it spur us even more to follow the blessed footsteps of our Savior and Lord? Yes indeed, it should!

1Thessalonians 2:12

After an hour of very interesting outline on "Christ in the 4 gospels" by Jim Flanigan on audio cd. I have been blessed to learn more of how the 4 gospels intricately paint the perfect being the Lord Jesus Christ. However the the highlight of whole lesson did not come from the message. I personally enjoyed a reminder that a brother shared just after the message. He told the group of how most prominent figures of today's saints come from backgrounds that are very different from whom they are today. He goes on to pointing out that in some ways we are more fortunate than them because most of us come from a fairly good background with a good education. They had to change from one end of the spectrum to the other end, which required much more discipline to devote themselves to studying the word of God. The emphasis of his story comes clear as he points out that we being even more blessed should be thankful of what we have and give more of our time and effort into the things of God.

I find it so true that the thought of it makes me ashamed to be called a christian. Somehow I have this weird way of thinking that maybe because my life has not experienced such extreme changes that i fail to appreciate the immensity of God's salvation. However, the spirit seems to tell me that no matter where you start from the spectrum of life, there is only one end point that all of us should strive to achieve - that is complete obedience to the life that God has called us into. We may not deserve anything God offers, but no matter what, He will always deserve everything that we can possibly offer. Just as how William Macdonald so aptly puts it: "The immensity if our redemption leads to only one reasonable response, namely - total commitment; let us remember that anything short of that is only polished sin. "