Dennis Abernathy

I read thar Daniel Webster, the famous statesman, was once asked what the greatest thought was that ever entered his mind. Reportedly, Daniel Webster replied, “My accountability to Almighty God.” I believe that is a pretty good answer. What do you think? Realizing that we are accountable to Almighty God is surely one of the greatest and most sobering thoughts that anyone can ponder because when we realize that we are accountable to God it ought to make us think of our need to go to His Word to learn His thoughts as well. Jesus said, “Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 7: 21).

Furthermore, when we think of our accountability to God, we also need to think of our sin and God’s plan to save us from our sin, which will help us appreciate His great love for us. Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5: 8). Also, we need to think of what God wants us to do, how God wants us to act, how God wants us to think, and how God wants us to live! 2 Cor. 5: 14-15 says: “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him for who died for them and rose again.” Further, in thinking of our accountability to God, we should also think of the fact that the Lord Jesus is coming again, and someday there will be a Judgment Day! In 2 Cor. 5: 10 Paul said, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Yes, my friends, thinking about the accountability to God is surely one of the greatest thoughts we could ever reflect upon, and it should affect us in a practical way and make us think of ourselves in a humble way—not arrogantly and boastfully. It should remind us of our need to live submissively before the One to whom we must give account!

Last, in short, when we think of our ACCONTABILITY to Almighty God, we must inevitably think of our RESPONSIBILITY, and the fact that we must be OBEDIENT to our God (Eccl. 12: 13-14). Heb. 5: 9 says “And having been perfected He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

We increase our ability, stability, and responsibility when we increase our sense of accountability to God. John D. Rockefeller, Jr, said, “I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity an obligation.” Considering the greatness of the thought of accountability and responsibility, please think on these things.