Personal accountability does not always infer good intentions, a thief who assists in stealing with his companions is said to have personal accountability, he can be trusted to fulfill his obligation, to be true to his word.
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” (Prov. 23:7)
Personal is you, not how others see you only, one can feign almost any attribute, even the fruits of the Spirit can be faked, talented actors can obtain great financial gain by honing their craft, Satan’s companions can quite easily assume the role of ministers of righteousness and deceive millions of people. Power over people can alter one’s character, as well as those that submit to that power, a person’s character can only be modified by that individual though.
“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.” (Romans 12:2)
If you have been saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ you are now accountable to Him, every action, word and deed you will be held accountable to the Lord for. Even your thoughts will be judged. But the Holy Spirit will not force you to be transformed, else you could not be held personally accountable.
Throughout all eternity my friends we will have free will, we will never be forced to do anything, but until our old man, our sinful nature is removed, we will never understand this truth. Here, in this life on earth you have choices that will not be present in heaven.
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:27)
Here Satan tempts, here we can choose the evil or the good, here we must hold ourselves personally accountable for one main reason, that the Lord would be glorified in our lives. Any deviance from that goal will see His Holy name dishonored, any straying from the path will give the wicked an opportunity to blaspheme Him because of us, and you will be held personally accountable for that.
Ambassadors of the Kingdom of heaven are held accountable to their office, we are to offer the truth of the Scriptures to all that will listen, those we speak to will be held personally accountable for how they receive it. You do not need to hold the office of evangelist, teacher or preacher, missionary, elder or deacon to be personally accountable to the Lord, all who have been born-again in one form or another are ambassadors to the Kingdom of the Living God.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
The wicked will give excuses at the Great White Throne of Judgment, and not one excuse will avail them anything. You will give your account at what is called the Bema seat of Christ and today is the day you need to decide on the words you will say, for not one excuse will be accepted by the Lord on that day either. Rewards will not be given to some as much as they are to others on that day my friends, that is not your concern.
That thief was concerned with how his friends would view him if he did not arrive on time to join them in their evil deed, his integrity and accountability was determined within himself by how he believed his companions would view him if he was not a man of his word. Shall the Lord not look on us the same, and even more?
You promised your life to Him, every part of you, nothing withheld. Are you living up to that promise, are you personally accountable to Him because of Him, or for yourself?
