ACCOUNTABILITY
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton, expressed this opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887.
It is my belief that men do not set out to become corrupt, but time and again, we see all across the world, leaders who fall from their positions due to a lack of accountability. CIA Director Petraeus is the most recent victim, but there are many. If we all will be held accountable for the words we speak (Matthew 12:36) then why would we think we would not be held accountable for all our actions? 1 Peter 4:5 tells us we all will be held accountable, but especially those who do evil.
How does it happen, good people becoming corrupt? It happens one step at a time. We all must have someone who holds us accountable for our actions, and especially our Christian Walk. One who will call us down on those “minor” offenses which no one really cares about, or those little things that no one knows about. We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, but it all begins with accountability- How about you? Who is your accountability partner? Don’t have one? Get one- Your life depends on it.