Picture these two scenarios: A college student is taking two courses: the first for credit and the second for audit. Which of these courses will that student learn more and perform better in, the class that they are auditing or the class that they are taking for credit? You know the answer, of course, that any student will learn more and perform better in a course they are taking for credit. The reason why boils down to one simple word: accountability. Because students have to account for their learning in courses they take for credit through projects, papers, and exams, they will naturally work harder, study longer, and prepare better for those courses. Courses taken for audit, on the other hand, often take a back seat to other important things, such as any courses taken for credit. Having to give an account makes an impact. It demands our very best. When it comes to our day-to-day living, the truth is, we will all give an account for how we live. We will all stand before God one day. As a result, we are called to live accordingly.
As Solomon concluded his quest for satisfaction in the book of Ecclesiastes, he summarized the most important things for followers of Christ to do in Ecclesiastes 12, saying, “Fear God and obey his commandments” (verse 13). Fearing the Lord and obeying Him remain among the most important things we can do with our lives. Solomon explained the necessity of fearing God and obeying Him in verse 14: “God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” In the end, fearing God, cultivating awe and reverence for Him, and walking in obedience are critical to finding satisfaction in Christ. After all, we will all give an account for how we lived. This truth should motivate our actions each and every day, leading us to obedience and faithfulness to our God.
Make no mistake, my friend, we will all give an account for our actions and the way we live our lives. The question is, will we live faithfully, obeying Him and living for Him each and every day? We will give an account of our lives one day. Let’s live each and every day remembering that our words, actions, and decisions every day matter to God.
Take a few moments now to evaluate your life. Are you living in light of the truth that you will stand before God one day? When it comes to how you are currently living and the decisions you are making, what is going well? What needs improvement? After reflecting, what is one step you can take today to live in such a way that you are prepared to stand before God and give an account for how you lived your life? Commit to taking that step starting today!
“God, as I seek to honor you, knowing that I will give an account for how I lived this life, help me…”
1Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. 3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.
4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.
5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.
6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. 7 For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
8 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”
9 Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. 10 The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.
11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.
12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.
13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.
