Held Accountable

People with responsibilities give an account of their work regularly.  Sometimes it is to authority, sometimes to themselves. Students account for their learning by taking exams and writing papers. In households, we balance checkbooks, review monthly statements, and consult budget ledgers.  On a professional staff, we produce reports. On a board committee heads and accountants report on the status of things.

In the Epistle to the Hebrews, there is a double-edged section that makes us sweat on the one hand and gives comfort to another. The unknown author of this fascinating treatise prompts trepidation when he mentions that before God “no creature is hidden, but all are laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.” The lead-in to this announcement concerning God’s scrutiny makes it even more foreboding:

The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

To use the image of a sword is ominous, indicating that God’s word is sharp enough to get in anywhere within us—soul, spirit, body, and joint. We can hide nothing from this one with whom we must reckon. So, where is the comfort?

The assurance follows this passage when the writer lets us know that Jesus is the ultimate high priest who has been where we are and lived what we have lived. He can sympathize with our weakness, having been through the very trials that we face:

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:14-15)

Next comes some very strong encouragement. The writer urges us to approach God unafraid, given the limitless grace and mercy central to the heart of God:

Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Approaching God is both fearsome and reassuring. It is an awesome thing to be held to account by the Holy One. What Jesus ensures for us is that by being held accountable, we are also, within his tender mercy, lovingly held.