The forms of accountability in the life of a Christian
Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ! Welcome to „Daily Word for Spiritual Edification”! Today I would like to talk about the forms of accountability in the life of a Christian.
Accountability can take different forms in the life of believers. Let’s look at these forms in biblical perspective.
(1) Teacher – apprentice.
We see examples of this type of relationship in Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy. This form of accountability implies having a disciple or apprentice that you invest yourself into helping him to grow in God. This type of relationship means that a teacher is responsible for his disciple and the disciple submits to his teacher. It helps both teachers and disciples to grow in Jesus Christ and walk in submission to the Lord.
(2) Relationships of associates in the Lord.
Paul and Barnaba had this type of relationship. Paul had Barnaba (the son of consolation) he trusted; Barnaba was his collaborate that he could identify with. Paul could go to Barnabas with his problems and pains. Barnaba was for Paul the one he could pray with; Paul could receive advice, direction and support from Barnaba. He was for Paul the person who could give his opinion and help with decision-making.
(3) Team or small group (home group).
When we talk about a small group or a team, it is not just a group that comes together to pray or study the Bible; it is a group of people that cooperate, provide support to one another and share with one another their ideas, joys and difficulties. Team or small group is a company of people similar to the 12 disciples of Jesus. It also can be a group formed for particular ministry, a board of elders where people come together to pray and discuss God’s Word without the fear of being rejected. A team or small group is a place where people regularly gather in the name of Jesus Christ to experience the power of God’s transformation through prayer, application of God’s Word and friendship.
Small groups were an important part of the early Church:
«And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers» (Acts, 2: 42).
(4) Marriage relationships.
It also is a form of accountability. If you are married, you must develop your relationships with one another in such a way that you could share with your spouse your problems, pains and fears without the fear of being rejected. Family must be a place of accountability where we are free to discuss the things that bother us and support one another.
(5) Local church.
As we already discussed, a local church also is a place of accountability. There are ministers and supervisors in local churches that not only take care of you (of the church members), but also have responsibility for you before God. In accordance with Hebrews (13:17), we as God’s sheep must be accountable to our leaders.
So how do we start on our way to being accountable?
- Make a decision not to live independently of others, but to live in accordance to God’s Word. If God is calling me to be accountable, that is what I want to do.
- Pray and ask God to show you a person you can trust and you can give account on a regular basis.
Please, remember that the person you choose should be the one who knows and loves you. But it cannot be a person who is afraid to say the truth to you. Look for a person that loves you enough to be totally honest with you. It must be a spiritually mature individual who fears God and is dedicated to Him; it is a necessary prerequisite for him or her to be able to help you. This should be a person who does not compromise the Word. Besides, it must a person you respect and are willing to receive the truth from.
You have people like that in your church, in your home group or in other churches; you simply must pray for God to bring you together.
Tomorrow we will finish talking about the importance of accountability and Christian fellowship.
I wish you God’s abundant blessings!
Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
