“CPR for a Healhty Walk" part 17 Request and Respond to Accountability”
Review
I. Cultivate a dynamic relationship with Christ.
A. Surrender to Christ
B. Present our members to His service
C. Renew our mind
D. Draw near to God
E. Walk by faith in the power of the Spirit daily
II. Pursue, develop and maintain meaningful connections with people
A. Fervently pray for one another
B. Preserve the unity of the body.
C. Continually build up the body in love
D. Gently restore the fallen
E. Readily Bear one another’s burdens
III. Resist the world the flesh and the devil
A. Renew and purify Your heart
B. Renounce the flesh
C. Refuse conformity with and love for the world
D. Resist the Devil
E. Respond to accountability
These fifteen practices are not necessarily chronological. A better approach to them would be to view them as simultaneous or continuous life-style practices. These three main areas requiring attention are intricately interwoven and interdependent. Each depends on the other. Nearly every principle in Scripture will fall under one of these three categories. Therefore, I have been working on a workbook designed to help practice these things on a daily basis I will make available when completed.
In this message and the next we explore the biblical instructions regarding accountability, the last of the five practices necessary to resist evil. Resisting evil is not a Lone Ranger activity.
We have already examined the Scriptures which instruct us to relate to each other through the love of Christ and out need for each other. The command to love one another, exhort one another, receive one another, greet one another, encourage one another, bear one another’s burdens, and so on are essential for pursuing meaningful connection with the body of Christ. A healthy relationship with others is also essential if we are to effectively resist evil. One particular aspect in the area of resisting evil is accountability.
To many, “accountability” is a foreign concept. We endure and even invite accountability in many other spheres of life.
Occupational accountability -- boss, supervisor
Educational accountability -- teachers and tests
Social accountability--government, police
Accountability in these areas is not only tolerated but expected. Why not in the Spiritual realm? Accountability is not just some modern concept. It is thoroughly Biblical.
I. Why Is Accountability Necessary?
A. God designed us for dependence
We were designed by God for dependence on Him and interdependence (working together) with others. Even before the fall God observed that it was not good for man to be alone. When man sought independence from God and cut himself off from others, he discovered encountered a world of self-centeredness and sinful self-protection that destroyed the dynamic of meaningful connection between God and man and man and man intended as God intended. Man sought life in himself and came up woefully empty. That emptiness drove him to demand life on his own terms from God and others, increasing the emptiness and fear and resulting in evil of all sorts. We were designed for dependence on God and a mutuality or interdependence on others.
We need each other.
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses. Pro 27:6
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him 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. Ecc 4:12
He who separates himself seeks his own desire, he quarrels against all sound wisdom. Proverbs 18:1
Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards reproof will be honored. Prov 13:18
He who listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. 15:31
Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man's counsel is sweet to his friend. Pro 27:9
Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another 27:17
As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man. 27:19
The need for others only increased after the fall.
B. Natural tendency toward self-deception
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Heb 3:13
Jeremiah wrote: "The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked."
We have a great tendency to minimize sin, to downplay its severity, to water-down it awfulness. The more we sin -- knowingly or unknowingly -- the more desensitized we become. It is only through practice of the truth, that our senses become trained to discern good and evil. It is through the little daily compromises here and there that we begin to stray from the truth.
Neglect here and there. A "little" unconfessed sin here. A wrong motive there. It all contributes to deadening us to sins ravages until we get to a point where we don't even think we sin anymore. We need others to hold forth the standard by their walk and love-laced talk.
When no one is allowed to ask those penetrating but pertinent questions concerning our motives and behavior and commitment, or we isolate ourselves from the testimony of those willing to humbly share their walk with God, we find ourselves making little concessions here and there until our conscience becomes defiled and even seared.
One day we wake up and see just how far we have fallen.
Jesus chastised the Epehsian church about losing their first love. He urged them to look carefully how far they had strayed from the standard.
Jesus also exhorted the Laodocian Church.
You think you are rich when in reality you are very poor and wretched.
Paul wrote to Timothy, The goal of our instruction is love with a pure heart and a clean conscience. With sin in our life, our love is offered from a defiled conscience. It then becomes a hypocritical love a love that has strings. Paul urged the Romans let love be without hypocrisy. We have this irresistible inclination to downplay the effect and damage our actions produce for others. We minimize the revealed consequences for our sinful motives, conduct and conversation.
We are afraid of rejection and or ridicule. Adam hid because he was afraid. His fear was based a new awareness of his broken relationship with God. We all have experienced that sense of estrangement from God. Only when we come to the knowledge of the security of His great love for us, a love that passes all human understanding, a love that never fails, a love that will not and cannot be severed by anything, will we feel free to admit and bare our sinful soul to the core to God or anyone.
Oh how we need those who will model this kind of love and acceptance on earth so that those we love may be encouraged to take a deeper and honest look inside. We need accountability and encouragement because we have a natural tendency to drift. There is a way that seems right to a man (to desensitized senses) but whose end is destruction. Every man did that which was right in "his own eyes."
There is only one right and that is what God declares to be right in His word. We need the input of others who are tuned in to God's unchangeable truth to help us see and keep us on the right path.
C. Conduct Checked is Conduct Corrected and Continued
We operate more efficiently when we know we are being observed. Unfortunately, because we are in process of soul renewal, we need this kind of accountability. God motivates behavior by encouraging a continual awareness of His presence. Not just for getting after us but for encouraging us. We will keep on the path of growth if we confide in another concerning our goals, our desires, our failures our motives so they can encourage, pray, motivate. Someday we will be evaluated and scored for our faithfulness here. Better to suffer the bruises to a battered ego here in time, than to suffer the loss of blessing and reward in the eternal kingdom.
D. The Second Law of Spiritual Dynamics
This law follows the 2nd law of thermodynamics. "Without a continual influx of energy things tend toward decay and disarray.
True in every sense. Universe, Business, churches, houses, bedrooms, yards, cars. It is also true in the spiritual realm. You can't function from off last week’s prayer time. We need daily energy and input to prevent decay and disarray.
We always tend toward mediocrity and ease and comfortableness..
We gravitate toward the path of least pain and resistance.
We tend to move toward lukewarmness.
To prevent such decay we need one another. We need continual calls to reality. The church at Ephesus had great doctrine, great teaching, great perseverance. But they lapsed from their first love and Jesus called them to account. Jesus exhorted them, "Remember from where you have fallen and repent and do the deeds you did at first. We need others who will present a picture to us of where we are and were we were and where God challenges us to be. We need continual correction, motivation, encouragement, loving rebuke, encouragement to keep going to the source of life and energy lest we lapse into mediocrity and quit growing.
Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being. Pro 20:30
II. What is accountability?
The Biblical instruction regarding accountability unfortunately seldom resembles the contemporary practice of accountability,
It is not forced external obedience to a specific set of human rules.
It is not judgment for the purpose of condemnation.
It is not power exerted over others for self–centered purposes.
It is not church discipline only.
It is not a license to probe into the affairs of others.
It is not the role of a policeman in the life of another.
Biblical accountability is more like a fireman. The fireman warns of danger and instructs regarding proper handling of dangerous materials and the principles of keeping away from harmful things. A fireman also is willing often to risk his own life and health to rescue those suffering from the consequences of violating those principles. The fireman doesn’t just shout instructions from the sidelines. He is willing to face getting burnt in order to get close to the one in danger.
So often we find it easy to tell someone where they are living wrongly but unwilling to be involved n the process of helping them live rightly.
Biblical accountability is a coin with two side; the side of the one illuminating the standard and the side of the one being shown the standard,
III. Who are we accountable to?
I observe at least two levels of accountability in the Bible. We are to be accountable to those in authority over us. We are to be accountable to one another.
A. Accountable to our leaders
Much of our struggle overcoming evil comes when we take matters into our own hands and squirm out from under the authority of those God places over us. The enemy always seeks to first separate you from your God-ordained protection, and then he is much more able to capture the soul. The following Scriptures address this instruction.
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, Titus 3:1
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 Peter 2:13-15
Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. 1 Cor. 16:15-16
Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 1 Peter 5:5
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 1 Thes. 5:12-13
We live in an age where we resist accountability to anyone but ourselves. That just cannot be reconciled with Scriptural instruction. We do not have the option to pick and choose what commands we will obey and which ones we don’t. God establishes position of authority and leadership at every level of life. God, Christ, husbands, parents, teachers, government, employers, masters, elders. The response to these authority figures is generally the same. Come under their authority. Serve as you would serve Christ.
I would venture to guess that if we were to take a more careful look at our life, many would observe an increase in their struggle against evil that directly relates a failure to properly respond to God-appointed leadership.
Teens get in trouble when they rebel against their parental authority.
Wives find increased pressure when they try to get out on their own.
When it comes to the church, there seems to be very little accountability. I am not advocating dictatorship or intrusion by elders. The Bible also contains many warnings for the proper manner of leadership. Since God established elders as those who will give account for the condition of our soul, it would benefit us greatly to find out what it means to apply these biblical principles. We have a responsibility to understand and apply Scripture. These instructions are as vital as “stop lying”, “love one another as Christ love the church”, “forgive as Christ forgave you” etc.
Scripture outlines several ways to respond to authorities.
Come under their authority
• By acknowledging them For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 1 Cor. 16:18
• By receiving them with joy
• By holding them in high regard
Therefore receive him in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; Philip. 2:29
• By appreciating them
• By esteeming them highly
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 1 Thes. 5:12-13
• By consider them worthy of double honor
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 1 Tim. 5:17
Imitate their faith
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
Pray for them
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 1 Tim. 2:1-3
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. Hebrews 13:18
Why do we resist this level of accountability?
Pride and independent spirit.
We live in a culture that knows and wants little of accountability and authority. If we cannot properly respond to the God-ordained earthly authorities.
“No one is going to tell me what to do.”
“If I don’t like how things are run here, I’ll go to another church.”
“I’ll shop around until I find a church that serves me better.”
“I can leave without consulting leadership.”
“I am my own person.”
I find no such concept in New Testament teaching. Where is the authority of church leadership? We need to rethink the Biblical admonitions concerning response to leadership!
Lack of confidence in leadership
It that is a problem, then one needs to take steps to respond Biblically. Go to them. Pray for them.
Fear of ridicule, rejection or judgment
So often we are afraid what others will think. We so fear rejection that we live in bondage.
APPLICATION
When was the last time you came along side your leadership?
When was the last time you prayed for your leadership?
When was the last time you honored or demonstrated appreciation for the leadership.
We are often long on complaints, short on compliments.
B. Accountable to each other
“and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” Ephes. 5:21
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13
Plus all the numerous passages which instruct us to encourage one another. We need to pursue accountability in this arena as surely as we need accountability to authorities and for some of the same reasons.
We were designed for dependence
Natural tendency toward self-deception
Conduct Checked is Conduct Corrected and Continued
The Second Law of Spiritual Dynamics
For some of the same reasons we resist accountability to God-ordained authorities, we also resist accountability to one another.
Pride
Lack of confidence in leadership
Fear of ridicule or rejection.
The first kind of accountability is by mandate.
The second kind of accountability is by invitation.
Pray that God would bring someone into your life who you can trust with your life. Invite them to ask some of the hard questions related to your areas of struggle. Pray for the kind of relationship and church body that we studied in the “connecting” video series.
Pray for one who will come along side with our best interest at heart.
One who will celebrate our mutual identity in Christ.
One who will not ignore the dirt but focus on the possible gold.
One who will be faithful to stick with the refining process until it turns to gold.
Next week we will cover the Biblical safeguards and godly attitudes which must accompany accountability from both sides of the coin.
TODAY
What is your relationship or attitude toward your God-ordained authorities?
Pride, independent spirit, bad attitude, resistance, rebellion?
Do you have a close friend to share your struggles?
Begin praying for God to bring someone your way.
