Of all persons on the planet, God’s children are accountable. Romans 14:12 asserts “…Each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Notice how very personal our accountability will be “each of us shall give account of himself.” No one will escape this accounting. In the meantime, while on this earth, we are also called to be accountable to our brothers. In fact, from the creation of the first humans on earth, God asserts that we are our “brother’s keeper.” (Gen. 4:9).
- What Accountability Is Not – I will explain in class.
- What, Then, Is Accountability? Accountability simply means that we are answerable to others for our lives. While most persons reject the thought of such, accountability is a great gift from God. Why? Because accountability serves two great purposes:
- Accountability provides a system of checks and balances that protect us from harm and even ruin at times,
- Accountability gives us the opportunity to interrelate to others to share our lives and encourage them. Remember the 5th “I.” (1 Peter 4:10)
- What Are Some Biblical Examples of Accountability?
- Adam and Eve – Gen. 3:8-19.
- Nathan and David – 2 Sam. 12:1-14.
- Paul and Barnabas – Acts 11:24
- Paul and Timothy – 1 and 2 Timothy
- David and Jonathan – See 2 Samuel
- Why Do I Need Accountability in Living The Christian Life?
- Each of us need to be asked the “hard questions” about our lifestyle so we will examine whether we are staying or straying from God’s will.
- Accountability motivates us to do our best and to stay in the battle of life and not give up.
- Accountability reminds us of our talents and gifts and that we should use them for God’s glory, not waste them for trivialities.
- Accountability prepares us for promotion, for when we learn to be accountable to others, it is obvious to others that you can be trusted for significant leadership. Ex: I have had many people on my staff through the years, and I discovered that those who were accountable to me willingly were the ones who moved to higher stations in life and vice versa.
- Accountability keeps us from making mistakes by being blinded to serious faults. Chuck Swindol observed and wrote “A man can be making great progress in a career, but if he is unaccountable to anyone, he will make a mistake which will destroy him.”
- Accountability is walking in Christ-likeness, for Jesus Christ was the most accountable person who ever lived and that to His heavenly Father (John 10:30; 8:16, etc.)
- What Are Specific Contexts in Which Accountability Flourishes?
- By meeting with a small group weekly
- By meeting together for mutual encouragement (Heb.10:25)
- Husband – wife relationship
- By ministering to others by use of our spiritual gifts – 1 Peter 4:10.
- By praying with another and intercession.
- How Are We to “Take Care” of One Another According to The New Testament?
- Love one another – John 13:34-45.
- Be devoted to one another – Romans 12:10.
- Give preference to one another – Romans 12:10.
- Don’t judge one another – Romans 14:13.
- Build up one another – Romans 14:19.
- Accept one another – Romans 15:7.
- Serve one another – Galatians 5:13.
- Carry each other’s burdens – Galatians 6:2.
- Forgive each other – Ephesians 4:32.
- Encourage one another – Hebrews 3:13.
- Pray for one another – James 5:16.
- Offer hospitality to one another – 1 Peter 4:9.
- Be kind one another – 1 Thess. 5:15[1]
- Why Do People Resist Accountability?
- Lost – Luke 6:39
- Rebellious
- Slothfulness – plain ole laziness
- Fear others will expose them.
- Self-Centered (Saying, “I am a private person and do not share my life with anyone.”
- Too busy
- Biblical Ignorance
- Upbringing
- American Christians Are Accountable to God for The Welfare of Our Nation – even its preservation – in this hour of unprecedented crises, spiritually, morally, psychologically, and politically. Revisit 2 Chron. 7:14 and submit to it to the full NOW. Tomorrow will be too late!
- Practical Steps to Take – I will explain in class
[1] Dr. Bill Bennett, 10 Absolute Life Changers, p. 85.