Accountability
By Ro Lashua
This month the theme is accountability. This is a subject that has intregiued me for a long time. Perhaps, because I see evidence of a severe lack of this characteristic in our society.
When people do not want to take responsibility for their own actions they are irresponsibily.
“Employee accountability – or lack thereof – is a major challenge facing business leaders. Every company needs to teach their leaders: How to set consistent expectations for accountability; How to develop team members who understand their responsibilities and are self managed; How to create a standardized way of monitoring” (www.sixdisciplines.com).
When we speak about accountability we are addressing the issue of setting goals and meeting them. When that is accomplished we are being held accountable for our commitment.
Accountability is defined as “the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable” (www.dictionary.com). We live in a world now where taking responsibility for one’s own actions is not fashionable or desirable. Perhaps because the other side of that proverbial coin is bearing the consequences of our actions.
This is best exemplified by the lawsuit of a McDonald’s customer who purchased a Hot cup of coffee in the drive-thru window and held it between her legs as she drove away. The outcome was that she was burned by the hot coffee and sued McDonalds. She won a huge amount of money. Now, if you purchase Hot coffee from McDonalds there is bold text around the cup reminding customers that the hot coffee is indeed HOT.
When educators look at assisting their students in success strategies there is a common thread. The students are instructed that their personal choices involve taking responsibility for one’s own actions. This is something that is sorely needed in our society today.
When we embrace accountability we must realize this involves empowerment. We must be empowered if we are liable. Personal empowerment is evidenced when individuals take ownership of their decisions and realize there are consequences.
Let’s look at Scripture to see what God says about our accountability and our responsibility.
In Romans 12:2 we read: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (KJV).
We are charged with renewing our mind. We have power to do this. We have choices. We are not to just conform to the world around us. We are to make right choices and be accountable.
Is there a battle for our minds? Oh yes!
We see that in Romans 7:23, But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members (KJV).
Our carnal or natural mind is against God. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be (KJV).
While that may sound like we have no hope, wait, there is hope.
Let’s look at Romans 8:27, And he that searcheth the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (KJV).
Did you see that? We have hope and help.
Let’s look at Romans 8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that riased up Christ from the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
We can’t really talk about winning this war for our minds without talking about the Holy Spirit. God knew we would need help. He knew we would need power to overcome.
In 2 Timothy 1:7 we see that we have been given power through the Holy Spirit: (7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (KJV).
God gives us what we need to overcome the carnal mind. We have the power to be victors and not victums. Why don’t we have more victory?
Victory comes when we first know we have the power to overcome the evil. It is not by our might or strength but by the power of God. But we have to know we have that at our disposal, otherwise we will just accept whatever our carnal mind comes up with. That is dangerous.
When we see the new testament church in Acts walking in faith and the power of God, we should ask ourselves, why aren’t we walking in this kind of victory. What is lacking?
The Lord said in the end time there would be a lack of faith on the earth. We have to believe and to know that God is faithful to fulfill all his promises.
In Acts 1:8 we see that the new Christians received power. Verse 8- But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (KJV).
This power was to be used to be his witnesses. He wanted us to live a victorious life so we could be his witnesses and share what victory we have in Christ. We can do this.
We are accountable for what choices we make but we have Jesus to support us. He died on that cross to pay for all our sins so we can walk boldly knowing who we are in Christ. We are accountable to make the right choices. He expects us to do that, but he also gives us the power to do it right.
Will we make mistakes? Yes. Will we sin? Yes. But the grace of God is there for those times when we fall short.
The Apostle Paul said he was battling his flesh. What he wanted to do he did not do and what he did not want to do he did do (Romans 7:19) We will have the battle as long as we are still mortal humans. However, as we strive to make the right choices and hold ourselves accountable, and repent when we do sin, then we are on the right road.
We are to be responsible, accountable citizens of where we live. We are to be the light set on the hill for people to see the good works or good choices we make because of Jesus who is our Lord and Savior.
The victory is ours. We are accountable but we CAN do this!
By Ro Lashua
This month the theme is accountability. This is a subject that has intregiued me for a long time. Perhaps, because I see evidence of a severe lack of this characteristic in our society.
When people do not want to take responsibility for their own actions they are irresponsibily.
“Employee accountability – or lack thereof – is a major challenge facing business leaders. Every company needs to teach their leaders: How to set consistent expectations for accountability; How to develop team members who understand their responsibilities and are self managed; How to create a standardized way of monitoring” (www.sixdisciplines.com).
When we speak about accountability we are addressing the issue of setting goals and meeting them. When that is accomplished we are being held accountable for our commitment.
Accountability is defined as “the state of being accountable, liable, or answerable” (www.dictionary.com). We live in a world now where taking responsibility for one’s own actions is not fashionable or desirable. Perhaps because the other side of that proverbial coin is bearing the consequences of our actions.
This is best exemplified by the lawsuit of a McDonald’s customer who purchased a Hot cup of coffee in the drive-thru window and held it between her legs as she drove away. The outcome was that she was burned by the hot coffee and sued McDonalds. She won a huge amount of money. Now, if you purchase Hot coffee from McDonalds there is bold text around the cup reminding customers that the hot coffee is indeed HOT.
When educators look at assisting their students in success strategies there is a common thread. The students are instructed that their personal choices involve taking responsibility for one’s own actions. This is something that is sorely needed in our society today.
When we embrace accountability we must realize this involves empowerment. We must be empowered if we are liable. Personal empowerment is evidenced when individuals take ownership of their decisions and realize there are consequences.
Let’s look at Scripture to see what God says about our accountability and our responsibility.
In Romans 12:2 we read: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God (KJV).
We are charged with renewing our mind. We have power to do this. We have choices. We are not to just conform to the world around us. We are to make right choices and be accountable.
Is there a battle for our minds? Oh yes!
We see that in Romans 7:23, But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members (KJV).
Our carnal or natural mind is against God. Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be (KJV).
While that may sound like we have no hope, wait, there is hope.
Let’s look at Romans 8:27, And he that searcheth the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (KJV).
Did you see that? We have hope and help.
Let’s look at Romans 8:11 – But if the Spirit of him that raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that riased up Christ from the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
We can’t really talk about winning this war for our minds without talking about the Holy Spirit. God knew we would need help. He knew we would need power to overcome.
In 2 Timothy 1:7 we see that we have been given power through the Holy Spirit: (7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (KJV).
God gives us what we need to overcome the carnal mind. We have the power to be victors and not victums. Why don’t we have more victory?
Victory comes when we first know we have the power to overcome the evil. It is not by our might or strength but by the power of God. But we have to know we have that at our disposal, otherwise we will just accept whatever our carnal mind comes up with. That is dangerous.
When we see the new testament church in Acts walking in faith and the power of God, we should ask ourselves, why aren’t we walking in this kind of victory. What is lacking?
The Lord said in the end time there would be a lack of faith on the earth. We have to believe and to know that God is faithful to fulfill all his promises.
In Acts 1:8 we see that the new Christians received power. Verse 8- But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (KJV).
This power was to be used to be his witnesses. He wanted us to live a victorious life so we could be his witnesses and share what victory we have in Christ. We can do this.
We are accountable for what choices we make but we have Jesus to support us. He died on that cross to pay for all our sins so we can walk boldly knowing who we are in Christ. We are accountable to make the right choices. He expects us to do that, but he also gives us the power to do it right.
Will we make mistakes? Yes. Will we sin? Yes. But the grace of God is there for those times when we fall short.
The Apostle Paul said he was battling his flesh. What he wanted to do he did not do and what he did not want to do he did do (Romans 7:19) We will have the battle as long as we are still mortal humans. However, as we strive to make the right choices and hold ourselves accountable, and repent when we do sin, then we are on the right road.
We are to be responsible, accountable citizens of where we live. We are to be the light set on the hill for people to see the good works or good choices we make because of Jesus who is our Lord and Savior.
The victory is ours. We are accountable but we CAN do this!
copyright © 2008 Ro Lashua. All rights reserved.