I’m thinking about accountability in my life and how we should teach leadership accountability in our churches and businesses. It is essential to go to the root of the issue in all cases. I like the ‘no jerks’ policy, and I very much like honest compliance assessments to see where the issues are coming from and assess whether those responsible for bad behavior have been held accountable or if the matter is just repeatedly papered over. Compliance issues are not just a benchmark cost to be compared year over year. Like a check engine light or a warning in Scripture, they are there for good reason. God sees everything we do, and He is the one to whom we ultimately settle accounts (Romans 14:12).
We see in Judges that God says this, “‘Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands, I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. I did this to test Israel - to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the LORD as their ancestors did.’ That is why the LORD left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all” (Judges 2:20-23). Oh, that we would not be found wanting, wicked, and wayward, but rather, sober, stable, and steadfast.
Throughout Scripture, we see that God requires accountability. God gives us lots of room and opportunity to follow Him obediently. Lots of rope, so to speak. We will all be held accountable (Revelation 22:12). We can never claim God is not patient and did not give us time, opportunity, and ability to follow Him and flourish in His ways. Thank God for His grace. Lord Jesus, please bless my family and friends with sober strength as they follow you.
God entrusts us today with responsibility. Dads, men, we must care willingly as Jesus teaches us. Let's be eager to serve. Remember, God opposes the proud and favors the humble (1 Peter 5:5). It's easy to say we must recognize the authority of God and institute checks and integrity structures in our lives and in our organizations that ensure accountability. But the power of our flesh makes it hard to put into practice what we want to do.
We find out early in Judges just how difficult it was for the Israelites to drive out and conquer the various wicked peoples of the promised land (Judges 1). That was on them, for God did his part. Every promise of God had come true (Joshua 24:14). Not a single one of God’s good promises to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything God had promised Moses came true (Joshua 21:45). It is the same in our lives - God will do what He says He will. The challenge, if you will, is for us to do our part to put love into action. May we be mindful today to go out of our way to build others up and to impart grace. We need God's grace, so do those around us.
As we prepare for new ventures, be reminded how faithful and good God is without taking His grace for granted. God sets a high standard of accountability. Do we live up to it in our own lives and in our organizations? If not, why not? Out of grateful hearts, we will grow and conquer new objectives for Christ. God is miraculously building His Kingdom today. May we be with God and not against Him.
God holds each of us accountable because of His character. He is just and good and pure. Unlike us, God never casts a shifting shadow.
God’s principle and requirement of accountability is as true for us as it was for the ancient people of God. God’s way of repentance and our continued need to confess our sins and to be in right relationship with God is the Christian way. Left to our own devices, we are a disaster. I know that too well. We are capable of and prone to deceiving ourselves.
But God’s way is one of accountability. That is one of the reasons God requires His people to gather consistently. When we gather in weekly praise and worship of God, we acknowledge our sin. And we individually and in Christian community take the Lord’s Supper, the real and spiritual and effective way of God, to remind us of who we are in Christ. Communion is necessary for each of us. It is a means of grace, spiritually nourishing the believer in Christ and affirming our faith in Christ's sacrifice - once for all time (Hebrews 10:1-18). Let's continue to faithfully gather with the flock of Christ to participate in the Lord’s Supper. We humbly do so before God. God's strength is greater than our flesh. Through faith, God makes our relationship with Him right. Now, may He find us stable and good, not wicked and wanting. May God purge from us all addictions, impurities, and temptations.
We need God’s authority. We need our Good Shepherd. Let’s not gloss over disciplinary issues or have double standards. Let us, in eagerness to serve God, be a good example, nay, a Christ-like example. Let’s lead well this week and follow the example of other spiritual leaders who lead honorably (Hebrews 13:7). Let’s reject showiness. Let's esteem others as more important than ourselves. Lord Jesus, we are sorry for our sin. Please forgive us and give us a clean and clear conscience, and give us strength for faithfulness today.
Lord Jesus, please help us to turn from evil practices and corrupt, stubborn ways. Please bless us, for we are nothing without You. Amen.
Golfing with Ben and Sam, Forest, Virginia.
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