“Keeping One Another Accountable!”
Mutual Accountability is a must in the church at large..
— Leaders to members; and members to leaders..
- Brother to Brother and Sister to Sister (Matthew 18:16-18, CSB)
- Members to Leaders = (1 Timothy 5:19-20, CSB)
WHY? Because of the historic church hopping, church splits and church closings that we should prayerfully address, by identifying and tackling the issues that we read and talk about every day that are all over social media!
"Mutual accountability" is founded in "mutual submission" that grounds everyone firmly in the "Priesthood of the Believers", which represents the even delegation, the consistent distribution, and the balanced dissemination of the burden of care, the burden of loyalty, and the burden of responsibility — related to our "biblical stewardship”; that must be "on" ALL of God's people, equally.
Does this mean that "church folks" should challenge anything/everything that the "church leaders" determine to do? No..
Does this mean that "church folks" should blindly follow "church leaders", without consistently providing accountability, prayers and support (finances, volunteerism, etc)? No..
No, it means that the required balance between "clergy" and "laity" should also be emphasized and prioritized, so that "church leaders" don't assume any haughty attitudes or high-minded importance, because of their position. AND, so that "church membership and volunteers" actually understand the ongoing significance of demonstrating the kind of loyalty, respect and support that is deserving for those who pour their lives out week-in-and-out for all of God's people.
Of course, for the church to "master" continuing to hold each other accountable to biblical truth in principle and in practice, we can NOT focus on our personal preferences or pursue personal recognition; because our self-absorbed superiority truly has no merit. If we all stay "child like" in our hearts towards the Lord, His people, and His holy work, "the larger lesson" The Body of Christ must walk out, will act as the open invitation to live the surrendered life that God can fully bless and firmly establish according to His will.
In order to see this "realized" in every church and amongst all of God's people, three biblical principles must follow:
One: We must know, apply, and defend biblical truth rather than personal opinion. When we come to understand proper biblical interpretation, as students for life, we learn that the only word God is obligated to bless is HIS OWN. (cf. Isaiah 55:10–11).
Two: It is urgent that the church hold Christians accountable for living by God's word and will (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:9–13). This responsibility extends beyond clergy-laity power structures and hot-button issues to the full spectrum of biblical morality (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11). It is relevant to what we say, but also to how we say it (Ephesians 4:15). If we will not hold each other to biblical standards, we lose the moral authority by which to speak to the secular culture (cf. 1 Peter 4:17).
THIS is a BIG part of the problem in the church today..
If we (the church) have NO RELATIONSHIP with the "unbelieving spouse" of a family in our local fellowship (as as example) the pastoral staff, elders/deacons and outreach team should be fully aware that the "missing spouse" (let's say its the HUSBAND) must be both acknowledged and kept informed, as a gesture of "wise social evangelism" and "proper biblical order".
WHY? Because, THE HUSBAND is "still" the "head of the home", whether he actively acknowledges it or not! By the leadership of a local church showing this "unbelieving husband" honor and respect PRIOR TO HIM KNOWING CHRIST, "in faith" and "by faith" they're cooperating with the work of Holy Spirit to "convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment".
Three: It is vital that we exercise accountability with the humility that recognizes our own fallibility (cf. James 4:6). I may not have committed your sins, but you may not have committed mine. The ground is level at the foot of the cross.
How do church leadership and church membership become so imbalanced, indifferent, and insolent? Neglecting to prioritize their personal devotion and intimacy with God, as primary to everything else that they do in life and in ministry.
What must church leaders and church members do to "strike the balance" that's necessary for a "healthy church"?
Church Leaders: If you're thinking more about your denomination's hierarchy, political structure, and church or ministry position than complete submission to The King of all kings and The Lord of all lords — when it comes to spiritual authority and devotion, REPENT and REVERSE your course, because you may be deceived in becoming enamored by the false religious order that all too often makes you both subjugated (brought under the control of men) and subverted (destabilized or undermining the authority of Christ) by choosing to serve and be enslaved to the politics of the "kingdoms of men", rather than wholly submitted to the Kingdom of God in all things.
Church Members: If you're thinking more about your own rank or authority in the spirit (similar to a rebel or renegade) than you're proper agreement and alignment with the spiritual authority that God has established for your family, life, and world, then you may just be detouring away from that which will bring balance into the life of every believer, if we surrendered all to Him. By being spiritually accountable and submitted to the God-ordained authority that HE purposes you to prayerfully follow and submit to in the "Kingdom of God", you and I will protect ourselves from the deception, delusion and disorder that follows people that don't believe they should submit to "any man".
Remember these 3 Master Keys of Discerning Spiritual Authority in the End Times..
#1 - JESUS CHRIST is truly "The Supreme Head" of ALL principality and power, in every dimensional aspect of God's Creation, including the seen and unseen realms!
#2 - The Body of Christ is "fully authorized" under the Inexhaustible Headship of JESUS CHRIST, to boldly occupy till HE comes, with humble regard and recognition of the governing authority which God has set in place -- without a blind submission or allegiance to the kingdoms of men.
#3 - JESUS CHRIST "is" the perfect representation of "true" spiritual authority and devotional integrity to the apostolic order of the Kingdom of God, and its through HIS committed "servant leadership" and "radical alignment" to The Father's Will that we can see the way we're also called to live and to lead.
ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNERSHIPS:
There is much temptation already in the world today, and Satan is always striving to create even more. In the face of such temptation, many Christians seek out an “accountability partner” to pray with and help share the burdens that come with doing spiritual warfare. It is good to have a brother or sister we can count on when we are facing temptations. King David was alone the evening that Satan tempted him into adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). The Bible tells us we fight a war not of flesh but of the spirit, against powers and spiritual forces who threaten us (Ephesians 6:12).
Knowing we are in a battle against the forces of darkness, we should want as much help as we can gather around us, and this may include making ourselves accountable to another believer who can encourage us in the fight. Paul tells us that we must be equipped with all the power that God supplies to fight this battle: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). We know without a doubt that temptation will come. We should be prepared.
Satan knows our weaknesses, and he knows when we are vulnerable. He knows when a married couple is fighting and perhaps feeling that someone else might better understand and sympathize. He knows when a child has been punished by his parents and might be feeling spiteful. He knows when things are not going well at work and just where the bar is on the way home. Where do we find help? We want to do what is right in the sight of God, yet we are weak. What do we do?
Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.” A friend’s countenance is a look or expression of encouragement or moral support. When is the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you were doing? When is the last time you called a friend and asked her if she needed to talk? Encouragement and moral support from a friend are sometimes the missing ingredients in fighting the battle against Satan. Being accountable to one another can provide those missing ingredients.
The writer of Hebrews summed it up when he said, “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” (Hebrews 10:24–25). The Body of Christ is interconnected, and we have a duty to each other to build each other up. Also, James implies accountability when he says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
Accountability can be helpful in the battle to overcome sin. An accountability partner can be there to encourage you, rebuke you, teach you, rejoice with you, and weep with you. Every Christian should consider having an accountability partner with whom he or she can pray, talk, confide, and confess.
Knowing we are in a battle against the forces of darkness, we should want as much help as we can gather around us, and this may include making ourselves accountable to another believer who can encourage us in the fight. Paul tells us that we must be equipped with all the power that God supplies to fight this battle: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). We know without a doubt that temptation will come. We should be prepared.
Satan knows our weaknesses, and he knows when we are vulnerable. He knows when a married couple is fighting and perhaps feeling that someone else might better understand and sympathize. He knows when a child has been punished by his parents and might be feeling spiteful. He knows when things are not going well at work and just where the bar is on the way home. Where do we find help? We want to do what is right in the sight of God, yet we are weak. What do we do?
Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.” A friend’s countenance is a look or expression of encouragement or moral support. When is the last time you had a friend call you just to ask how you were doing? When is the last time you called a friend and asked her if she needed to talk? Encouragement and moral support from a friend are sometimes the missing ingredients in fighting the battle against Satan. Being accountable to one another can provide those missing ingredients.
The writer of Hebrews summed it up when he said, “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” (Hebrews 10:24–25). The Body of Christ is interconnected, and we have a duty to each other to build each other up. Also, James implies accountability when he says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).
Accountability can be helpful in the battle to overcome sin. An accountability partner can be there to encourage you, rebuke you, teach you, rejoice with you, and weep with you. Every Christian should consider having an accountability partner with whom he or she can pray, talk, confide, and confess.
LINK: https://www.askpastorwalter.com/2013/10/spiritual-authority-end-times.html?m=1
Walter L Smith III (WS-3)
Founder, Pure In Heart Int'l Ministries, Inc. (PIHIM)/The Center For Kingdom Advancement (TCFKA)
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Rochester, MN 55901-9998
www.PIHIM.org
www.AskPastorWalter.com
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