Accountability to One Another in Christ

 

Few years back, my understanding of accountability and judgement got mixed up.

If you had asked me a question related to what I did & why I did, I'd immediately think that you were judging me. And, I'd feel vulnerable in responding openly and transparently to your question. I'll often want to know why you want to know & how you are going to use the information. 

But the grace of God overflowed for me. Holy Spirit showed me how these worldly principles had been set in my heart causing my passive aggressive behaviors. 

Passive aggressive behaviors are the subtle and shrewd things I did or said to smartly avoid answering difficult questions.  

Then, I dug into bible to learn the principles of Christ related to accountability in a church community.  

Accountability is the fact of being responsible for what I do and able to give a satisfactory reason for it, or the degree to which this happens.

Several bible verses speak to the concept of accountability to one another within the Christian community. These verses emphasize mutual support, correction, and shared responsibility.

• Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." 

While from the Old Testament, this proverb is often applied to New Testament principles of mutual influence and growth through honest interaction with others.

• Matthew 18:15-17: "“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector." 

This passage outlines a process for addressing sin and hurts within the community, emphasizing a structured approach to restoration.

• Luke 17:3: "So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them." 

This verse speaks to the responsibility of addressing sin directly and offering forgiveness upon repentance.

• Galatians 6:1-2: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." 

This passage calls believers to gently restore those who have fallen, to bear one another's burdens, and to be mindful of their own potential for temptation.

• Ephesians 4:1: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." 

This encourages a life that reflects one's faith, which is a foundational aspect of being accountable. While this speaks to individual responsibility, it is within the context of the community of believers who are called to support each other in this endeavor.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 

This verse encourages believers to uplift and strengthen one another through mutual encouragement.

• James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." 

This verse highlights the importance of open confession and prayer within the community, facilitating healing and mutual support.

• Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching." 

This verse speaks to the proactive side of accountability, which involves encouraging and building one another up.

I intentionally and prayerfully practiced accountability. For example, I requested my daughter to interfere and ask me the moment she observes that I speak rudely to her mother on any occasion. 

Another example, I understood that my leader's questions were irritating me because my self was resisting accountability and wanted its works to be fully trusted by others without any questions. 

Very tough experience. But unless we do and practice the principles of Christ in the opportunities we come across in our life, any level of memorization of bible verses do not renew our minds and will not transform our self-centered nature to divine nature. 

Thus, accountability to others in faith in Christ is not about judgement, but about loving correction, mutual support, and a shared commitment to growing & maturing in Christ.