Maranatha Messenger

THE CHURCH
SPIRITUAL ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountability is very important in the life of a believer. The Bible makes it absolutely clear that Christians are accountable to God. Paul said in Romans, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12). You mark it down; there is coming a day of reckoning. Even Jesus told His disciples that they were accountable for every single word that comes out of their mouth (Matthew 12:36). The apostle told the carnal Christians at Corinth that “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). First and foremost the believer is accountable to God.

Secondly, believers are accountable to each other. Paul instructed the church at Galatia, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Accountability involves spiritual restoration to the fallen. The word katartizo {restore} actually means to mend that which is broken. The same Greek word is translated “mending” their nets in reference to the sons of Zebedee who were fishermen (Matthew 4:21). Spirit-filled believers should be involved in mending and restoring the lives of fallen believers. Far too often Christians report incidents of sin within the fellowship to the “church authorities” expecting them to handle the matter. Having explained the sin in detail they often attach the disclaimer, “Pastor, please keep my name out of this situation.” In other words, you want the Pastor to confront the sin without any evidence. This is very unfair to the Pastor! Let me illustrate. Suppose you see a man commit murder but refuse to testify against him. Yet you expect the prosecuting attorney to press charges even though you are unwilling to testify. Christians report sin in the church but are unwilling to present the evidence. This is a great mistake and injustice. The scripture commands the godly believer to minister to a fallen brother. Paul clearly identifies who
should confront those who sin, “ye which are spiritual.” In other words, carnal Christians do not qualify for the ministry of restoring a wayward brother. Although the spiritual believer should be involved in the mending ministry, Paul clearly points out that he must serve in a spirit of meekness lest he too be overcome with sin. We must not function as spiritual FBI agents who feel the call to police the congregation. Pharisaical knit-picking and unwarranted investigations by those who are ready to draw the Baptist billy club and beat on the brethren over silly incidentals must not be tolerated. Nevertheless, godly believers should lovingly hold each other accountable for their actions. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and seek guidance from a spiritual leader in your fellowship should you need wisdom in how to approach a delicate situation.

Also, the Lord Jesus Christ established a means of discipline and accountability within the local church. Jesus said,

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a
publican (Matthew 18:15-17).

The process is clear! If a brother hamartano {trepass} or sins against you, go and confront that brother “alone.” This is biblical discipline and accountability! Please note, Jesus did not say go and share the situation with all of our friends. He told us to go to our Christian brother “alone” to work out the problem. Most of the time Christian fellowship is restored.

Should this course of action fail we are to proceed to step number two. Take two or three witnesses with you. Perhaps the sinning saint will listen to the witnesses. The goal is still the same; regain fellowship with your brother in Christ.

Finally, if this process fails, you have one other alternative. Take the situation to the proper church authorities. The final phase of church discipline will be implemented to recover the fallen brother. God has provided an inspired process for conflict management within the local church. Obedience to His Word always provides resolution to discord.

Thirdly, we are accountable to the spiritual leaders within our congregation. Our loving Lord has equipped godly leaders to shepherd His local fellowship. Paul told the Ephesian believers that,

He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of
the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect
man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:11-14).

God gave gifted men and women to the church for the purpose of katartismos {perfecting} or maturing the saints. Such spiritual nurturing involves training, discipline and accountability. Someone who will hold our feet to the fire so to speak. An individual that we are answerable to. This in turn will oikodome {edify} or build up the body of Christ. Additionally, the author of Hebrews commands us, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Hebrews 13:7). The Greek word hegeomai {ruler} is
referring to spiritual leadership in the church. He identifies this spiritual authority as the one who has laleo {spoken} or preached unto you the Word of God. It is absolutely clear from this passage of scripture that we are accountable to the Pastor of our local fellowship. The author continues this same line of thought in verse 17. He said, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). The spiritual shepherd is going to give account
for his flock! Therefore, the author said we are to hupeiko {submit} or not resist his authority. Should we rebel and not come under the authority of the man of God, Hebrews says, that this is alusiteles {unprofitable} or harmful for you. It is very dangerous for a believer to remove himself out from under the umbrella of God ordained accountability. The local church is a place of spiritual accountability.