Accountability

Recently as a student ministry we worked through what our relationships should look like as people who have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus. As we talk about dating and friendships one thing that is necessary in both is accountability. Accountability is a necessity for healthy relationships. If our goal is to grow in our walk with Christ and bring God glory, we need help with it!! We’ve got to ask the question what is accountability and is it biblical?  
 
The first thing we have to say is that the Scriptures call us to accountability. Galatians 6:1-5 says, Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. When Paul says, those who are spiritual, he means Christians. He is saying Christians should seek to restore or bring back a brother (fellow Christian) who has gotten caught up in sin and is slipping… wondering from the faith, from Jesus!  
James emphasizes this very truth as he ends his epistle saying, My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James makes this sound like a big deal because it is a big deal. One of our greatest goals as Christians is to help one another grow spiritually, mature in Christ. (Col. 1:28) Part of the task of helping each other grow is pushing each other to that maturity. This includes pointing out when we have erred, when we have messed up. But we also are to push each other by encouraging one another! 
 
So, let’s be super simple and super practical with accountability… Let’s assume the best – you and a friend are both following Jesus and you want to help each other by pushing each other in godliness and holiness. The question is how do we do this? How do we “hold each other accountable?” 
 
Three specifics of holding each other accountable. 

1. Use the Word (2 Timothy 3:16)
The Scriptures are the most important thing we have especially when it comes to helping one another grow in Christ. The Scriptures are our guide and our measuring. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” You see, God’s Word is extremely profitable for all of life. Specifically, the Scriptures are to be used for teaching and training, reproof and correction! If we are truly striving to bring God glory in everything we do, then the Bible is how I want my life to be measured. God has laid out for us in the Scriptures what will lead to the completion, equipping of us we should want our lives to line up with the Scriptures. If our lives don’t line up with Scripture, we should be okay with someone bringing that to our attention in the right way. 
So, the best advice there is when holding others accountable is using the Scriptures! They are our guide. In times when we hold one another accountable to them, it is not us that is holding them accountable but rather God himself through the Scriptures!
 
2. Be gentle (Galatians 6:1)
The second important reminder of holding each other accountable is to be gentle! We are brothers and sisters in Christ – we are family. We should want the best for one another. The hope isn’t to embarrass or even scold each other. Rather, that we grow closer to the Lord and our lives look more like Jesus. We also know that we are no better than the other. So, Paul calls us to gentleness in Galatians 6:1. He says, “you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” The odd of your friend receiving what you are saying is way better if you approach them gently, lovingly. Because the truth is – we all fail and yet the Lord shows great gentleness and patience with us! So – if you plan to confront a fellow Christian about sin, you have to be gentle! Approach them in a way that you hope they would approach you! (Matt. 7:12)
 
 
3. Encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Lastly, we want to say correcting each other can’t be the only way you hold each other accountable. You have to encourage one another! Correcting and correcting and correcting will just lead to aggravation and possibly a broken friendship. You have to encourage one another in the good and the bad. The author of Hebrews reminds the Christians not to forsake being together and to encourage one another! In Hebrews 10:24-25, he says, “and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Don’t let your only words to one another be harsh, correcting words. Love one another, encourage one another! Regular encouragement may help one another to guard against waywardness! 
 
All-in-all, the general rule when helping hold each other accountable – love each other as Christ has love you. (John 13:34) Accountability to one another is a great thing, it can help us grow in Christ if we do it rightly. So, be sure to use the Word, be gentle, and encourage one another!