THE PURPOSES OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The title of our lesson is:  “The Purposes of Accountability.”

 

B.   The Definition of “accountable”:

1.    Subject to review

2.    Answerable to others

3.    Obligated to report

4.    Liable

5.    Responsible

6.    Required to answer questions about all aspects of one’s being:  attitudes, choices, words, behaviors, interactions, associations, etc.

 

C.   We are about to address a Christian responsibility that is not an easy or pleasant one.

1.    It is not easy for the one carrying out the duty.

a.    It is not a joyful thing to have to confront another person, especially about a mistake or a sin.

b.    NOTE:  There are a few who seem to enjoy holding others accountable.  Many of these seem to enjoy the power that they have over others.

2.    It is not easy for the who is the recipient of the obligation.

a.    It hurts the person’s pride.

b.    It wounds the person’s feelings.

c.    It appears to ruin one’s reputation.

d.    It makes us dependent upon another person.

 

D.   Let’s consider several purposes of accountability.

 

I.             TO OBEY GOD

 

A.   To obey God is part of the whole duty of man (Eccl. 12:13).

 

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:  Fear God, and keep his commandments:  for this is the whole duty of man.

 

B.   God instituted three organizations all having as one of its purposes to hold others accountable.

1.    We understand accountability in the home.

2.    We understand accountability in society.

3.    We need to understand our responsibility within the church (Heb. 3:13).

 

But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

 

C.   When God commands, we must accomplish the action He demand in order to obey. 

 

D.   When we obey, blessings will be bestowed upon us (John 14:23).

 

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words:  and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

 

 

II.           TO BE FAIR TO ALL

 

A.   Every Christian in the body of Christ:

1.    Has talents given to them (Matt. 25:14-15).

 

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.  And unto the one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

 

2.    Has been set by God in the body as it pleased Him (1 Cor. 12:18).

 

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

 

3.    Is supposed to use his talents and labor for the increase of the body (Eph. 4:16).

 

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

 

B.   What happens when a member quits functioning as it should?

1.    Other members of the body have to take up the slack.

2.    Other members of the body are often harmed in the process.

3.    The body does not accomplish all that it should accomplish.

 

C.   None of these things is fair to those members who are laboring diligently and doing their part to make the body of Christ successful.

 

D.   Accountability brings fairness to the body of Christ.

1.    The member is rebuked and repents.

2.    The member is disciplined and cut off.

3.    Another member is added to the body who takes his place.

 

III.         TO ASSIST IN THE GROWTH OF THE INDIVIDUAL

 

A.   The Lord wants us to grow in Christ (Ps. 92:12).

 

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:  he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

 

B.   Growth can take place in a multitude of ways.

1.    Bible study

2.    Exercising our Christian faith

3.    Passing through fiery trials

 

C.   Another way to grow is through the “coaching” of others.

1.    Almost all of us have had coaches in our lives. 

a.    The good coaches were able to take us from one level of play to another.

b.    They taught.  They encouraged.  They corrected.  They disciplined.

2.    In the same way, Christians are to “coach one another.

a.    We lift our brothers and sisters in Christ from one level to another.

b.    Examples: 

1)    Aquila and Priscilla (Acts 18:26).

 

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue:  whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expouned unto him the way of God more perfectly.

 

2)    Paul with Hymeneus and Alexander (1 Tim. 1:20)

 

Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

 

IV.         TO BEAR FRUIT IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

 

A.   One of the purposes of all Christians is to bear fruit (John 15:8).

 

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

B.   Good branches need to be pruned in order to produce well.

 

C.   If there is an unproductive branch that cannot be brought to life, it needs to be cut off so it does not hinder the growth and productivity of the plant.

 

D.   John 15:2

 

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:  and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

 

V.           TO PROTECT OTHERS AGAINST SIN

 

A.   Satan is always on the prowl to destroy as many Christians as possible (1 Pet. 5:8).

 

B.   If we do not seek to hold one another accountable, souls can be lost.

1.    Peter rebuked Simon because of his sins and was successful (Acts 8:24).

2.    Paul corrected the church at Corinth regarding the fornicator and he repented and the church was encouraged to receive him again (2 Cor. 2:6-7).

 

C.   Two passages:

a.    2 Timothy 2:25-26

 

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him as his will.

 

b.    James 5:19-20

 

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

 

VI.         TO REWARD AND PUNISH

 

A.   The church can be somewhat lax when it comes to rewards and punishment.

1.    We don’t want to encourage people to serve the Lord just for the rewards.

2.    Too, we don’t want to discourage the church by rebuking and disciplining those in sin.

 

B.   God is a God of rewards and punishment (Ex., blessings and curses, Deut. 30:15).

 

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.

 

C.   In holding others accountable, we can commend the good and correct the evil (Ex., the letters to the seven churches of Asia, (Rev. 2-3).

1.    Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee (Rev.2:4)

2.    But this thou hast (Rev.2:6).

 

VII.       TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

 

A.   Jesus did not hesitate to hold His disciple accountable during His earthly ministry.

 

B.   Perhaps one of the best examples is found in His confrontation of Peter following His resurrection (John 21:15-17)

1.    Jesus’ words:  “Simon, Son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?”

2.    Peter’s reaction:  “Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me!”

 

C.   We are to following the steps of the Christ (1 John 2:6).

 

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself so to walk, even as he walked.

 

VIII.     TO SAVE OUR SOULS (Ezek. 3:17-19)

 

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel:  therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.  When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The Bible offers the principles and practices for accountability.

1.    In His wisdom, God allows each congregation to develop the “how” of accountability.

2.    Several methods:

a.    Preaching and teaching

b.    Elders oversight

c.    Visitation

d.    Mutual responsibilities among members

e.    Plans for withdrawal

 

B.   The ultimate goal:  HEAVEN!

 

C.   God will hold us accountable.

1.    Matthew 25:19

 

After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

 

2.    Romans 14:12

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.