Accountability is key

Accountability is a buzz word in churches. It seems that the word appears every week in our Sunday School class.

If the discussion progresses, someone will chime in, "But we aren't supposed to be judgmental." Or "But we have to build a relationship first." Or "We can't just beat people over the heads with the Bible."

There may be a grain of truth in each of those statements, but usually, they end the discussion about accountability. Everyone nods in agreement. And no one does anything differently.

No accountability. Just talk about it.

No asking others for help. Just talk about it.

It reminds me of James 2:15-16: "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?"

But instead of not meeting the physical needs of our brothers and sisters, we are not meeting their spiritual needs.

We'll talk about accountability. We'll talk about parenting. We'll talk about sin. We'll sing praises to God.

You're on your own for the rest of it.

We use our laziness as an excuse for obedience. Our fear of man is greater than our fear of God.

Look at the blessing that 's in store for accountability:

"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20).

Our inactivity is allowing a brother to continue in his sin.

What a blessing it is to be pulled back from wandering by those who care!