Accountability

9 Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc. 12

What is accountability? Dictionaries define it as “a state of being liable or answerable”. More simply, it is being given a responsibility and then being checked-up on. Why is accountability important for a person? For one thing it can make them more effective in achieving a task. Accountability can also provide encouragement, motivation, comfort and companionship.

Accountability can be extremely important and beneficial in our Christian lives. All of us go through difficult times where we feel like we are failing, or at least lacking, in our walk with Christ. This can result from numerous different things. It can result from failures with temptations. It can result from times of tragedy. It can result from apathy or neglect in our devotional times. It is during these times that accountability can be a huge benefit to us. To have someone that we know is going to check-up on us and ask if we have spent time with Christ today by reading in His Word and praying with Him can be a very powerful motivator. To know that we have a friend who is going to ask us how we are dealing with a specific temptation can help us to make Christ honoring decisions in our lives. To know that there is a person that is going to encourage us when we do fail (sometimes with a good swift kick in the back side) can be very comforting. Also, having a person that you can trust and to pour out your heart and pain, can be a source of deep relief.

Christ never expected us to walk through this life alone, figuring things out by ourselves, and at times wallowing in our own heartache, loneliness and sorrow. In Ecclesiastes chapter 4, God’s Word confirms that it is better to have a companion and to not be alone. Verse 12, which says “one may be overpowered by another”, is especially true when it is Satan who is fighting against us. But together with another person’s help and accountability we “can withstand him”. We would also do good to remember that when we are standing together with an accountability partner, and we have Christ as our focus, then we are actually a “threefold chord” as Christ is the third strand.

At Fauquier Christian Church we have organized a personal discipleship ministry. It involves pairing Christians of like gender for the purposes of spiritual transformation, prayer, fellowship, Bible knowledge, service, and yes, accountability. For people who have a desire to mature in Christ, following God’s plan for discipleship is a sure bet to success. See preacher Jeff of Jeff Bartley for details at FCC or talk to your own preacher about the ways your church has organized such discipleship. Such is God’s plan to open His floodgates of blessings to you.

“Anyone wishing to come after me must deny himself, pickup his cross, and follow me.” -Jesus