## Accountability

## Romans 14:10-12

It seems that in our society the idea of reaching the point where you have to answer to no one has been elevated to a place in the "American Dream". Be your own boss! Sounds good doesn't it? But unaccountability is not only unwise, it is unbiblical.

I. Accountability to God is Inescapable.

A. We will be held accountable for our actions.

1. Every one of us shall give account to God.

2. There will be no exceptions.

3. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess to God.

B. We will be held accountable for our words.

1. Mt. 12:35-36

2. Every idle word...by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

II. Accountability to Spiritual Leaders is Necessary

A. Note: 1Co. 16:15-16

1. Paul called on the brethren in Corinth to submit themselves to those who had given themselves to ministry.

2. There is where many have a problem with accountability.

3. It is one thing to submit to an all- powerful, all-knowing, all-wise God, but it is quite another thing to submit to human leadership in the church.

B. Note: Hebrews 13:17

1. As believers we are not individual islands in a vast sea of Christianity.

2. We are members of the body of Christ, the local church.

3. As such we come under the authority of the local congregation and its leadership.

III. Accountability to One Another is Healthy.

A. We need each other.

1. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

2. When one member of the body is weak, the stronger members should be there to build them up and encourage them.

B. Note: Romans 15:1-2

C. Note: Galatians 6:1-2

1. These verses remind us that we have a responsibility to one another.

2. It is beneficial to the whole body when each member submits to one another in the right spirit.

For accountability to work, we must cultivate the skill of listening to the advice of others. And although some advice needs to be taken with a grain of salt, no advice is totally worthless.