"Accountability breeds response-ability." — Stephen Covey, Leadership Guru
ACCOUNTABILITY is the fact or condition of being accountable. To be ACCOUNTABLE means required or expected to justify actions or decisions; responsible; explicable; and understandable RESPONSIBLE means having an obligation to do something; having control over or care for someone, as part of one's job or role; or to be the primary cause of something and so able to be blamed or credited for it. Responsibility involves important duties, independent decision-making, or control over others. To be responsible to someone is having to report to someone in authority and be answerable to them for one's actions. There is no room for blame. A responsible person is capable of being trusted, and morally accountable for their behavior.
Around this time of year in the US, we hold politicians accountable for the promises they've made, the actions they've taken, and the words they've said. At least we say we do. If incongruence is found, there will be repercussions at the polls...sometimes this is true, sometimes not. I wonder what would happen if we held ourselves to standards of accountability. God is looking at us all.
Scripture uses the words "give an account" to cover a bunch of areas. Jesus told His disciples "36But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37) It's scary to consider that every one of our words will one day come under the LORD's scrutiny. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth,
"Therefore, whether we are at home [on earth] or away from home [and with Him], it is our [constant] ambition to be pleasing to Him. For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities]." (2 Corinthians 5:9-10, AMP)
The Greek word bḗma (from bainō, "to step, ascend") is a platform to which someone walked up to receive judgment; (figuratively) the administration of justice given from "a tribunal-chair" (throne) where rewards and punishments are meted out. In Greek culture, judges sat on a bḗma to view athletic games. Their job was to make sure contestants followed the rules and to present awards to the victors (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24–27). The bema was never a place to reprimand the athletes or to punish them in any way. It was a place of testing and reward.
In the same way, Paul writes," each one’s work will be clearly shown [for what it is]; for the day [of judgment] will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work." (1 Corinthians 3:13) We will see if what we've built on Christ's foundation is of the quality of gold, silver, or precious stones. These are ingredients for crowns, or if our works display the inferior wood, hay, and stubble that is easily burned up and leaves no reward. This inevitable end-time assessment is rarely discussed in churches, or we'd be more careful.
Because we are accountable to God, we can choose to walk in that same accountability with ourselves and others. King David, though he was surrounded by blood thirsty and sinister men said, "But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. My foot stands in an even place; In the congregations I will bless the Lord." (Psalm 26:11-12) I am responsible for my thoughts, motives, actions, and responses. I am accountable for how I have handled God's calling, His Word, and His people...so are you. | 
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