Mike Paredes
4 November 2020
I do not think anyone likes the word accountability. It sounds harsh when you first encounter it, and truthfully, we don’t like to be held accountable; it is not comfortable. This may sound like a negative way to start an encouraging blog, but I want to approach this subject with a real understanding of where we find ourselves when we talk about accountability.
Webster’s Dictionary defines accountability as “the quality or state of being accountable; an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for one’s actions.” The issue does not lie with the understanding of what accountability means, it’s the challenge of actually doing it!
Let’s take a look at what the Bible has to say on this subject. James 5:16 says, “Therefore 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.” Wow! God in His outrageous love for us gives us a difficult charge here. Not only must we take full responsibility for our sins, but we position ourselves to be vulnerable and transparent by admitting them to someone else. However, this charge comes with a blessing that we will be healed. God lines this challenging directive with blessings. We receive healing; we also receive a release of the burden to someone else that we trust; we get to receive prayer for strength that is powerful and effective, and we get to provide this to someone else. The bottom line is we need each other to accomplish all that God has for us.
Photograph via Canva
Let me share a personal story with you on this subject. I pray that it will encourage you to find a mature brother or sister in the faith and start a conversation that will strengthen them in the Lord and build you up in your faith.
I have a friend who is always there for me and my family — a man of God who is trustworthy in every way. I had something heavy on my heart, something I did that did not honor God, and I needed to talk to someone about it. I was truly a mess inside. I went to my friend and asked him if I could share something I was going through. Naturally, he said yes.
I poured out my heart, my desperation, guilt, and shame, and I was waiting for his response, ready for the backlash from what I had done. He was silent at first, then he looked at me and said, “Now, let me tell you what I have done.”
I was blown away by his response. He placed himself right with me and shared his heart. We prayed together, and God restored both of us with His forgiveness and joy. That was an example of accountability with responsibility in action.
A great way to find that person who will support you in the grace of God and share in your difficulties is to join a small group. Transformation Life Church offers so many wonderful life groups from which you can choose. In those groups, you will find mature, transparent believers in Christ who you can pray with and receive wise counsel. They will love you because of the love of Jesus in their lives.
When we are not accountable and responsible, we can end up living each day frustrated, confused, weighed down by guilt, and in judgment, or we can choose life — the full life of spiritual healing, freedom, and blessing God desires for us.
One of the most encouraging pictures the Bible shows us about relationships is in the Gospel of John 13:23, which says, “One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.” The description of what the disciple, John, is doing reflects what he feels: God truly loves me. And, because of this incredible love, I can lean on Jesus without shame or judgment. John understood the unconditional love of Jesus. You cannot be comfortable leaning on Jesus unless you accept His love for you in your current condition. With that in mind, we can read, understand, and live what James 5:16 says with confidence.
If I can help you connect, please reach out to me, mikeparedes@tlcassembly.org. May the God of peace be with you today.
Helpful Resources
A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God, Aneko Press; Updated edition, July 1, 2015.