Accountable.

About a year ago, I started meeting with one of my friends over the lunch hour via FaceTime. The reason we started to spend this time together was key: we were going through something difficult and wanted to make sure it wasn't affecting our relationships with Christ and other people. Our time together led to deep friendship that will last forever.

Walking alongside fellow believers is important as we follow Jesus. In Matthew 13:11-12 NIV it is stated, He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

Support

Accountability provides so much for our lives. Opening our hearts to other requires we trust them. But we can find so much support when we go through something with another person. God won't let us go around it so might as well receive help when you go through it. Our culture tells us to avoid anything that will make us uncomfortable and that is exactly what God does not want us to do. In Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 we hear this message come to life, Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Characteristics of Accountability

The Bible lays out how we are to develop accountability groups. The point of this intimate time together isn't simply to point out sin but to share and walk alongside journeys together. When I first became a Christian, my roommate pointed out Proverbs 27:17 to me, Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance. The Bible calls us to this discipline and we must be obedient to His command.

1. Be in confession to each other and pray that the Lord would work his power of your sin. (James 5:16)

2. Encourage each other and speak words that will build one anther up. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)

3. Be one that forgives when a brother or sister repents of sins. (Luke 17:3)

4. In love, show the speck in your brother or sister's eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)

5. Show the right thing to do. (James 4:17)

6. Be people that show love to one another. (1 Timothy 4:11-12)

7. Extend the grace that God extends to us despite sin. (Romans 6:1-2)

8. Bear each other's burdens. (Galatians 6:2)

Accountable to God

One day, each of us will be held accountable to the Lord for our time on earth as Christ followers. Why not start now with other believers who are also sinners? 2 Corinthians 5:10 says, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. When I hear this I often wonder, what will I be accountable about to God? Well His commands. Other groups are held accountable to God like leaders (Hebrews 13:17), teachers (James 3:1), and unbelievers (1 Peter 4:5) but for general sense, we are all held to these three according to His Word.

1. Share the good news with unbelievers: God sent Jesus to die for the sins of the world. When we are timid to share with unbelievers we have a mark on their eternal death. We are held accountable to sharing. (Ezekiel 33:8)

2. Words we speak: Throughout the day we speak countless words but each is accountable to God. We should be slow to speak (James 1:19) and careful in considering what to say. (Matthew 12:36-37)

3. Priorities of life: God cares about how we live our lives and the decisions we make throughout each day - whether it is the words or the actions, attitudes, and decisions. (Romans 14:12)

Next Steps

To start your accountability group, you will find a group of two to three people of the same gender. There are so many ways to hold an accountability group, you could each share from your week or go through these questions. My accountability partner and I go through these questions each week. It helps us to stay on track and cover all areas that God is calling us to be obedient in.

I pray you find an accountability partner this week to pray with, share burdens, and walk alongside during spiritual warfare. Every follower of Christ should be proactive to their accountability with a group of believers.