Accountability

[sunlover1]

I hear a lot of talk about accountability.
What are your thoughts or experiences.
Do you feel we need accountability to
other Christians or are we accountable to God.

tyia
sunlover

 

[cutie76]

I've heard and experienced discipleship and accountability.

My experience with accountability was one of control and guilt. At my former church it was not optional, but a requirement. Instead of "one another" relationships it was "one over another".

I think it could work, but would need to be monitored and evaluated. I think those wanting accountability should look at the scriptures in Proverbs on partnering and look at the relationship of the New Testament disciples.

Choosing a Christian to be accountable to is an important decision. The fruit of their life should be discerned.

I would say that holding someone accountable is a really important call. It requires humility and the ability to speak the truth in love. Be sure to direct the person to God, not yourself. Jesus is our Savior, not other Christians. It can be easy to cross those boundaries, so take heed.

 

[IamAdopted]

we need to be accountable to God first and our brothers and sister also according to scripture.. Anything above scripture is not permitted.. Not to Lord it over anyone but to turn the others heart back to the word of God and so they can be healed...

 

[JimfromOhio]

Two-way relationship with God requires our submission, obedience and love to Him. Accountability involves "one anothers" that every members are encouraged to be accountable to one and another. The writer of Hebrews 10:24-25 commands every believer to be a part of such a local body and reveals why this is necessary. NIV: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The Scriptures teach every believers to be committed to a local church where he or she is loved and cared for, instructed in the things Christ commanded, encouraged to grow spiritually, and serving Christ effectively.

James 5:16................Confess to and Pray for one another
Colossians 3:13...........Forgive one another
Colossians 3:16.......... Counsel one another
Galatians 6:2..............Bear one another's burdens
Titus 1:13.................Rebuke one another (with love)
1 Thessalonians 4:18....Comfort one another
Hebrews 10:25...........Exhort one another
Romans 14:19............Edify one another
Romans 15:14............Counsel one another
Galatians 5:13............Love one another
Ephesians 4:12...........Love one another
1 Peter 1:22..............Love one another

Just like a family, a local church is our spiritual family. It is only in the local body to which one is committed that there can be the level of intimacy that is required for spiritual growth with brothers/sisters in Christ "to love and good deeds." Only through that kind spiritual initamcy where we can encourage one another. Through the local elders (church leaders), spirit-filled are to meet for encouraging, admonishing, and teaching. Hebrews 13:7 and 17 explains what God have expected us to have accountability through godly leadership and fellow believers.

 

[sunlover1]

Welcome Cutie!
(That was pretty fun to say lol)
Thank you for your post.
I think that makes sense to me as well.

Hi IAmAdopted!
(that wasn't bad to say either )

Thanks also for yours.
I believe we are on the same page
as usual.

 

[JTLauder]

I see accountability as support. That's the whole point of being part of a Christian community. We are not isolated beings and we all have our weaknesses to be able to do all things on our own. When we support each other in our Christian walk by holding each other accountable, that helps to keep us on track.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Heres a few, on "account" specifically?

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself TO GOD.


1Peter 4:5 Who shall give account to HIM that is READY to JUDGE the quick and the dead.


Thought this was so KOOL!


James 5:9... The ~Judge~ standeth ~before~ THE DOOR


Psalm 141:3 Set a WATCH, O ~LORD~, before my MOUTH; KEEP ~THE DOOR~ of ~MY LIPS~.


Mat 12:46 But I say unto you, That every IDLE WORD that men shall SPEAK, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment.

Mat 7:1 Judge NOT, THAT ~YE~ be not judged.


Mat 7:2 For with what measure ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ~ye mete~, it shall be measured ~to you~ again.

Isaiah 28:6 And for a spirit of judgment ~to him~ that sitteth in judgment.

I thought it was interesting James says something to the effect of "He that judges his brother judges the law" (we are our brothers keeper) but if we are "a judge" we are not keeping the law but being a "judge" (in light of the "above" um... lol). Yet he that loveth his brother both fulfills the royal law (by keeping the law/brother as the apple of their eye). Thats so neat, because the law as well as anyone that "toucheth you" touches the "apple of His eye". I thought that was kool.

Peace

Fireinfolding

 

[Llauralin]

I hear a lot of talk about accountability.
What are your thoughts or experiences.
Do you feel we need accountability to
other Christians or are we accountable to God.

tyia
sunlover

Yes, both. I'm not sure "accountability" is the word I'd use, although I'm not sure what would be better either. If I can think of one, I'll be sure to say so (it's bugging my a bit). I think I want to use terms of relationship, like "spiritual father," "godmother," "godchildren," and that kind of think. The idea of love, mixed with authority on the one side and accountability on the other, that we have in families - but not one is at the "top of the chain" as it were; everyone is accountable to others in the church, and we're all ultimately accountable to God not only for how we handle ourselves, but also for how we deal with obedience and authority.

 

[£amb]

I hear a lot of talk about accountability.
What are your thoughts or experiences.
Do you feel we need accountability to
other Christians or are we accountable to God.

tyia
sunlover

As christians, we are accountable to God in our words, thoughts, and actions. Nothing can escape him nor can we keep it secret.

But I feel that we need to be accountable to other believers as well. More as a support, encouragement, prayer partner or someone who can give godly wisdom. We are to love others, and sometimes that love can be tough love when we see another believer falling away from what's right. If we are accountable to each other, and see another believer stumbling in their faith, then we can lend that person encouragement or wisdom to put them back on the right path that God wants us to follow.

My personal experience right now is my mom. She is very ill right now, and not doing to good. Though I have been fellowshipping with my Sunday School Class, I have been missing "big" church to attend to my parent's needs. My Sunday School class has pulled together to provide meals to my parents, prayed, and called to encourage us. God uses others in special ways, and I could never thank these people in my life enough.

Thank you God for the wisdom you have given me through your own children...

 

[Rhamiel]

Some people have accountability partners, I think it is good to have a peer as an accountability partner so it is not so much a mentor/pupil relationship. I know we are accountable to God and to each other, the Church is the Body of Christ and if we do bad things it makes other Christians and Christianity itself look bad.

 

[icedtea]

Accountability is a good thing. If I'd had a church, and accountability last summer, I would never have made the bad decisions I did.

 

[Giver]

Accountable 1. Liable to being called to account; answerable. 2. That can be explained: an accountable phenomenon.

Ideally living in close proximity with other Christians would be great, and if someone were straying they would be noticed and encouraged to mend their ways.

Personally, I believe all Christians should live in community for a number of reasons, and accountability could be one of them.

Depending on a person’s relationship with God would determine on how necessary it would be to being called to account by another individual.

After a person becomes Spirit filled and comes to know God, and is being led by the Holy Spirit, there isn’t much need for human supervision.

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

I hear a lot of talk about accountability.
What are your thoughts or experiences.
Do you feel we need accountability to
other Christians or are we accountable to God.

tyia
sunlover

Yes.

Both in our thinking and in our doing.

Any person, congregation or denomination that insists it is accountable only to itself (and perhaps to God as it itself so determines) is leaving themselves wide open to error and sin. A dangerous thing, IMHO.

 

[sunlover1]

Accountable 1. Liable to being called to account; answerable. 2. That can be explained: an accountable phenomenon.

Ideally living in close proximity with other Christians would be great, and if someone were straying they would be noticed and encouraged to mend their ways.

Personally, I believe all Christians should live in community for a number of reasons, and accountability could be one of them.

Depending on a person’s relationship with God would determine on how necessary it would be to being called to account by another individual.

After a person becomes Spirit filled and comes to know God, and is being led by the Holy Spirit, there isn’t much need for human supervision.

This is what I always believed as well!
Community is what we lack more and more in this fast paced world.

People sharing their meals, babysitting, vehicles, assets of all kinds.
I think this is the biblical pattern, don't you?


2 Corinthians 8:13-15
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want,
that their abundance also may be a supply for your want:
that there may be equality:
15 As it is written,
He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

Praise God for His wonderful plan!

GREAT to see you Giver.
I hope all is well with you
and yours.

In Christ,
sunlover

 

[Leah]

I hear a lot of talk about accountability.
What are your thoughts or experiences.
Do you feel we need accountability to
other Christians or are we accountable to God.

tyia
sunlover

Hey Sunlover.

Well, the bible says that one of the best ways to glorify God is to seek the welfare of your brother/sister.

Are we accountable to others? No, because we cannot make choices for other people or vise versa. All we can do is influence them to do what is good and right according to the knowledge of God.

Are we accountable to God? Most definately. All that we are has everything to do with Him. But sadly, there are some people who see differently on that.

 

[JimfromOhio]

Hey Sunlover.

Well, the bible says that one of the best ways to glorify God is to seek the welfare of your brother/sister.

Are we accountable to others? No, because we cannot make choices for other people or vise versa. All we can do is influence them to do what is good and right according to the knowledge of God.

Are we accountable to God? Most definately. All that we are has everything to do with Him. But sadly, there are some people who see differently on that.

Unbelievers are not accountable to me but accountable to God since God will judge them.

Believers are accountable to God and fellow believers. If we are not, that we have no unity within the spiritual church. As I post in #4 of this thread.......Two-way relationship with God requires our submission, obedience and love to Him. Accountability involves "one anothers" that every members are encouraged to be accountable to one and another. The writer of Hebrews 10:24-25 commands every believer to be a part of such a local body and reveals why this is necessary. NIV: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The Scriptures teach every believers to be committed to a local church where he or she is loved and cared for, instructed in the things Christ commanded, encouraged to grow spiritually, and serving Christ effectively.

James 5:16................Confess to and Pray for one another
Colossians 3:13...........Forgive one another
Colossians 3:16.......... Counsel one another
Galatians 6:2..............Bear one another's burdens
Titus 1:13.................Rebuke one another (with love)
1 Thessalonians 4:18....Comfort one another
Hebrews 10:25...........Exhort one another
Romans 14:19............Edify one another
Romans 15:14............Counsel one another
Galatians 5:13............Love one another
Ephesians 4:12...........Love one another
1 Peter 1:22..............Love one another

Just like a family, a local church is our spiritual family. It is only in the local body to which one is committed that there can be the level of intimacy that is required for spiritual growth with brothers/sisters in Christ "to love and good deeds." Only through that kind spiritual initamcy where we can encourage one another. Through the local elders (church leaders), spirit-filled are to meet for encouraging, admonishing, and teaching. Hebrews 13:7 and 17 explains what God have expected us to have accountability through godly leadership and fellow believers.

 

[sunlover1]

But before anyone can counsel me or try to get in my business so to speak, there needs to be a love relationship right?

 

[JimfromOhio]

But before anyone can counsel me or try to get in my business so to speak, there needs to be a love relationship right?

We are in a relationship with Jesus Christ in Spirit as well as with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:16
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? We are the temple. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. The church of Jesus Christ is one body with many members, ordered in such a way that, through the one Spirit, believers may be built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God. Christians are called to a committed fellowship of believers.

If we have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make our joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2).

If a person resents being accountable with a Christian brethren, I will wonder if the Spirit of Christ is within. Pride often rejects humilty.

 

[Leah]

Unbelievers are not accountable to me but accountable to God since God will judge them.

Believers are accountable to God and fellow believers. If we are not, that we have no unity within the spiritual church. As I post in #4 of this thread.......Two-way relationship with God requires our submission, obedience and love to Him. Accountability involves "one anothers" that every members are encouraged to be accountable to one and another. The writer of Hebrews 10:24-25 commands every believer to be a part of such a local body and reveals why this is necessary. NIV: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching." The Scriptures teach every believers to be committed to a local church where he or she is loved and cared for, instructed in the things Christ commanded, encouraged to grow spiritually, and serving Christ effectively.

James 5:16................Confess to and Pray for one another
Colossians 3:13...........Forgive one another
Colossians 3:16.......... Counsel one another
Galatians 6:2..............Bear one another's burdens
Titus 1:13.................Rebuke one another (with love)
1 Thessalonians 4:18....Comfort one another
Hebrews 10:25...........Exhort one another
Romans 14:19............Edify one another
Romans 15:14............Counsel one another
Galatians 5:13............Love one another
Ephesians 4:12...........Love one another
1 Peter 1:22..............Love one another

Just like a family, a local church is our spiritual family. It is only in the local body to which one is committed that there can be the level of intimacy that is required for spiritual growth with brothers/sisters in Christ "to love and good deeds." Only through that kind spiritual initamcy where we can encourage one another. Through the local elders (church leaders), spirit-filled are to meet for encouraging, admonishing, and teaching. Hebrews 13:7 and 17 explains what God have expected us to have accountability through godly leadership and fellow believers.

Are we accountable to others? No, because we cannot make choices for other people or vise versa. All we can do is influence them to do what is good and right according to the knowledge of God.




How is what you're saying here different than what I said? To influence also means to encourage. Which is what believers do for one another. But it is only true encouragement if, and only if, it's done with the knowledge of God and the understanding of His Word. We are not responsible for the choices each of us makes because when The Day comes, we will give an account to God for no one ourselves and that is a fact.

Whatever choice you (not you, directly) make is up to you and you alone. That is not anyone else's burden to carry; though we all hope and strive to encourage each other to make the right choice. And the right choice is God and all He wants for us.

 

[Optimax]

I hear a lot of talk about accountability.
What are your thoughts or experiences.
Do you feel we need accountability to
other Christians or are we accountable to God.

tyia
sunlover

It is good if you have a friend trusted enough to share things with.
A friend won't run & tell.
A friend won't use what you shared in confidence against you when they get upset with you.
A friend won't ..... Well, you get the idea.

If your are not totally comfortable with it, keep it between you and God.