For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. James 2:10 (ESV)
Living in New Jersey, I live under the shadow of the Statue of Liberty. This statue is a symbol of freedom and hope. It stands as a beacon in New York Harbor. It’s a continued reminder how our nation was founded on the principle of liberty.
Liberty means freedom. It is to live as I want to live. But the rub of liberty is that there are limits to liberty. My liberty exists within certain bounds. The idea of absolute liberty is a myth. I am still bound by the laws of the land. My liberty does not permit me to murder someone I don’t like. I am still obligated to pay taxes. Liberty only goes so far.
What happens is I exchange lesser liberties for greater liberties. As a society, we submit to the laws of the land that in turn permit us to enjoy freedoms such as the freedom to worship and the freedom of speech.
Many of our controversial political debates are about the limits of liberty. Does the violence in our nation warrant the limiting of the right to bear arms? Does the life of an unborn child limit the mother’s right to choose? The are questions that challenge how far liberty extends.
Accountable for our actions
Accountability is something that tends to get lost in the conversation. We are accountable for our actions, but we yearn for freedom without accountability. We want to live unhindered and without accountability. When questioned about our actions, it becomes easy to pass the blame and play the role of the victim. Humans have been doing that since the beginning of time.
Accountable for our brothers and sisters
Something else that gets lost is we are accountable for our neighbors. In the Old Testament, there is the story of Cain and Able. After Cain murders his brother Able, he is asked about the whereabouts of his brother. Cain responds by saying, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (see Genesis 4:9-10) The answer is yes!
One of the most profound prayers in the Bible is the prayer of Nehemiah:
Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Nehemiah 1:6–7 (ESV)
What I find amazing about this prayer is how Nehemiah confesses the sins of his people. Nehemiah identifies with his people even though Nehemiah was not the one personally doing the sinning.
It’s easy for us to sit and watch on TV the terrible things our fellow Americans do. We share our opinions and make our judgments. We may be on the other side of the television screen, but we share in the sins of the nation. The sins of the murderer, the thief, and the cheater are all the sins of America of which I am a part. As we confess our individual sin it is important for us to confess our corporate sin.
Accountable for leadership
As an aside, those of us who are leaders, have an extra measure of accountability for which we will need to answer. We will be held accountable for our leadership. James is clear:
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. James 3:1 (ESV)
As a called leader in the church, I am responsible for what happens in the church. There are some leaders who are quick to take credit when things are good. And they are quick to pass the blame when things go bad. A good leader will do the exact opposite. When things are good, they will be quick to show appreciation. When things go bad, they will be quick to take responsibility.
Accountable to Christ
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. James 1:1 (ESV)
As believers, we are all accountable to Christ. In the very first verse of James’ letter, he describes himself as a servant of God. The English Standard Version (ESV) translation is a bit weaker in its translation of this verse than other translations. Other translations use the word slave in the place of servant.
James relates how he gives up his freedom to live accountable to Christ and the law of liberty (see James 2:12). It would seem law and liberty would oppose each other, but it is a liberty marked with grace and mercy (see James 2:13). It is a freedom greater than the world could ever give. It is a freedom that removes the consequence and power of sin. It is a freedom over death. It is a freedom to experience the fullness and greatness of Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- What does liberty mean to you? What are the limits of liberty?
- Do you believe you are accountable for the actions of others? Why or why not?
- What do you think is meant by the law of liberty in James 2:12?
- Share your comments below.
Janet Baldwin says
I think you are responsible for the actions of those persons we have been given to lead and guide and persons that lead and guide us. We are accountable for our children, persons on the job which include the leaders as well as co-workers and persons we supervise. If our children are misbehaving we are accountable for correcting their behavior. If persons on the job are corrupt we are responsible to help change the culture or leave the job. When things are not right it is not enough to point the finger at others. We must see what we can do about it and then actually do what is necessary to make change.