WHY ACCOUNTABILITY?
My Books | Articles | Link To Me | Web Rings | Banner Links | Text Links
- If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Philippians 2:1-4
Is accountability really so important to us?
Within the body of Christ we set a standard of rules that we can attain. Practical rules to live by. Where do the rules come from? Hebrews 10:16 answers this for us. It says, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them." The rules are of our Lord, and are pressed upon our hearts and minds that we stay in Godly living.
Ephesians 4:14-16 tells us that, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."
We hold each other accountable so that we do not fall away in sin, and build each other in unity, in Christ through loves, fellowship, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Accountability helps us to realize when we are getting off the path of righteousness. The body of Christ helps each other. My time in the Marine Corps was spent training with other Marines, sharpening one another's skills. Just like the book of Proverbs tells us in chapter 27, verse 17: "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." In John 21:17 Jesus tells Peter to tend His sheep.
What is our accountability to each other?
Our accountability to each other is this: Love and confidence in one another. When one is weak, the body should be accountable to help.
I remember a time when I was a Corporal in the Marine Corps and we (the platoon) were running and one of the Marines fell back. I was accountable to make sure he made it back, keeping this young Marine motivated, to keep his desire burning...to make it back alive.
Romans 15:1 instructs us: "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."
When one slips, show the accountability towards that person in love. This doesn't mean we blab our mouths about what "Bob" did Saturday night. Keep it confidential. Just between you, him, and God. If God intended us to be gossips, we'd probably be a bunch of hens sitting around cackling all day.
Romans 14:19 tells us: "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
Accountability helps us to grow in our walk with Christ. When we stop growing we become stagnate or stale. We become weak in our faith.
An expert shooter or sharp shooter who doesn't continue to learn and fine tune his or her abilities will lose their skill and become stale at shooting.
If we fall back, it gives Satan an opportunity. Ephesians 4:27 tell us: "Neither give place to the devil." Given the chance, he'll take you down hard like a cement block around your feet in 30 feet of water. 1 Peter 5:8 informs us to be: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
Accountability is a vital part of our walk. We're not talking about our feelings here, but our souls. Staying in line with God by helping each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says the following to us: "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."
If our accountability is love, Jesus instructs us to love one another by holding each other accountable, watching that no one may fall away from Christ. We hold them accountable that they stay on the path of righteousness.
In 1 John 3:16 we find: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Verse 17 also tell us, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" This poses an interesting question. If one doesn't, or chooses, not to hold his brother accountable, does the love of God abide in him? He totally ignores a member of the body's need of accountability. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests. Also look out for the interest of others. We are to be of one body, one mind, and one spirit in our Lord.
When we hold each other accountable like the platoon, we can be reassured the body of Christ will grow stronger.
Do you seek accountability for you life? Do you feel that some things are just too hard to fight? Reach out to a brother or sister in Christ today. Let them be accountable in your life today. Let them help you in your growth in the Lord. In turn, hold them accountable in their walk and growth in the body of Christ. Let the Love of Christ manifest in you, that you will be of the same love and unity in the body of Christ.
