Responsibility versus Accountability
Hey Mike,
Hope all is well on your end. I just read your last email response on your site and it made me think of a few things. Isn’t there a difference between responsible and accountable? The dictionary lists those words as synonyms, but while I think they may be similar, I do not think they are interchangeable. The scriptures themselves say we are accountable for our sins unless it is something I am not seeing with the translation (I do not have access to Bible software at work to verify). Seems to be that God is responsible for our sins in the sense that he caused our sinful nature. As our Father, God is responsible to mold us into what we will become; to direct our steps on the path to redemption. But we are still accountable in the sense that we must answer for our sins or make an accounting for them. Despite our nature and the outside forces (i. e. God’s will) that cause us to sin, we still consciously make the decision to sin. Here are some of the scriptures that seem to indicate we are accountable for our sins:
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
1Pe 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.I can be way off on this, or totally have missed your point in the email. As always, you know I ask in the Spirit of learning and growing in knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Say hi to the family for me.
God bless,
R____
Hi R____,
Thanks for taking the time to get back to me on that letter.
Here is what Webster says about our English word ‘accounting’ as in the Biblical phrase “give an accounting”.
ACCOUNT’ING, ppr. Deeming; esteeming; reckoning; rendering an account.
Accounting for, rendering an account; assigning the reasons; unfolding the causes.
ACCOUNT’ING, n. The act of reckoning or adjusting accounts.
The embolding and underlining are mine. Now here is the definition of ‘accountable’.
ACCOUNT’ABLE, a.
1. Liable to be called to account; answerable to a superior.
Every man is accountable to God for his conduct.
2. Subject to pay, or make good, in case of loss. A sheriff is accountable, as bailiff and receiver of goods.
Accountable for, that may be explained.
Inasmuch as you and I are incapable of paying for the debt we have incurred with God and mankind, we simply cannot be “held accountable.” Only God can bring life out of death and pay the debt we have all incurred.
Now if you will note, every one of those verses you quote say what the scriptures say everywhere. We will all “give an accounting of every idle word… give an account of ourselves to God, and give account to Him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.”
The point I was making was that Joseph and Paul both tells us that even though we do, as you put it, “make conscious decisions to sin”, the Truth, nevertheless is that God caused every single one of those conscious decisions. I will not repeat Gen 45:4-8 an Rom 7:17-21, which both state emphatically that even though we do make conscious decisions to sin, the ultimate Truth, nevertheless is, “It was not you that did it but God… It is not I that do it but sin that dwells in me.”
That is exactly what Joseph told his brothers, and that is what Paul tells us.
Please do not think that there is anything I have said which denies that we will “give an accounting of the deeds done in this body” and we will “reap what we sow”. I think you know that I am a staunch believer in that fiery Biblical doctrine. But the point I was making is that reaping what we sow may seem to be the same as being held as accountable and as being held responsible for our deeds, but God, nevertheless, keeps those phrases out of His word. Nowhere in scripture will you find the phrases “held accountable” or “hold responsible.” God is responsible for all that occurs in every day of our lives, and in every day of the lives of all men (Psa 139:16).
You are right. We will all give an accounting for what God has done in our bodies.
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
This will extend down to “every idle word” we may speak:
Mat 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
And yes, God will judge us according to what is written in our book.
1Pe 4:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
But whatever any of us do, as referenced above, it was already written in His book before any of our days ever were.
Psa 139:16 Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.
That is why we are told that we will “give an accounting” as opposed to being told that we are held accountable. This may be simple semantics to many, but the dictionaries, as you point out, say that accountable and responsible are synonymous, and it is for that reason that I simply point out that the scriptures do not say “hold accountable” anywhere. Instead they consistently say “give an accounting” everywhere.
I hope that clears up my point. You certainly are correct when you say we will be judged by what we have done.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
But my point is Joseph’s and Paul’s point. The reason we never see the phrase “hold accountable” is that “It is not I that do [ those works] but God”, be they good or evil.
Rom 7:17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not.
Rom 7:19 For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise.
Rom 7:20 But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21 I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present.
God bless you.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike
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