Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid. - Proverbs 12:1
Accountability = Maturity
All citizens in God's kingdom are called to maturity in sonship, unfortunately we often think of this call as an optional bonus. All too often we think the final destination is to be born again, whereas the birthing of a child is only the beginning of the journey into maturity. And just like any athlete aiming for gold makes himself accountable to his coaching team, citizens of the kingdom must understand accountability is the method used to refine us and bring us to maturity.
Today's society promotes an independent and individualistic mindset (prevalent in society and plaguing many who profess faith) that thinks everything is subject to personal preference, personal feelings and personal opinions. Such a person can not be addressed about a particular issue pertaining to their maturity in faith because it is there 'personal' salvation.
It’s a bit like the saying 'only God can judge me', on the surface it seems to be submitting to the highest authority but scratch the surface and you'll find what is really being said is 'no one can judge me'. In the same spirit as 1 John 4:20 how can we say we submit to the God we can't see when we don't submit to fellow citizens we can see?
This lack of judgement in the house of God has led to Sunday gatherings of babes. And when a pastor attempts to address an issue, the babe may simply commute to a different church for less confrontational babysitting.
The household of God, the pillar of truth, the Ekklesia, God’s parliament is a house of judgement.
This involves corporate accountability, because contrary to the mentality that thinks salvation is a personal affair, we are called to a corporate salvation as referenced in Jude 1:3.
If we did not have a corporate salvation we would have no grounds to hold each other to account, but our common salvation provides an anchor point from which we can measure ourselves. Migrating your mind to 'our salvation' instead of 'my salvation' is essential for our maturity it makes room for accountability. But why do many avoid accountability? Well for the same reasons we ought not to:
True accountability calls for:
- Submission (Ephesians 5:21)
- Humility (1 Peter 5:6,)
- Vulnerability ( Matt 26:6-11)
- Discipline (Heb 12:6)
- Judgment (1st Peter 4:7)
It can be bitter sweet. But the sweet benefits greatly outweigh any temporary bitterness. On the flip side, the temporary sweetness of sin is short lived with a very long and bitter aftertaste. The (open) secret to growth and self development is accountability. To avoid it is to remain a babe. And lastly a poem reflecting on accountability avoidance.
Daddy said no, she was upset, ran to mum to get her yes,
Teacher said test, this made her stressed, took the easy way and left,
Boss said grow, she said no, quit her job though she was in debt,
Alas she knows, through suffering and woe, no accountability, no success
