Accountability is Fundamental

I recently read that John Wesley, the 18th century theologian and founder of Methodism, was “so concerned with building a righteous fellowship that he devised a series of questions for his followers to ask each other every week.”

Apparently some found the system too demanding and left the movement.

In a similar fashion, Chuck Swindoll composed 7 questions that he and a group of fellow ministers would periodically ask each other.

1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?

2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?

3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?

4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?

5. Have you given priority time to your family?

6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?

7. Have you just lied to me?

All of these speaks to one of the most fundamental aspects of our faith and to all of Christianity–accountability.

Dictionary.com defines “accountable” to be “answerable.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary says it is an “obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions.”

Both the definition and inclusion of the word “account,” reminds us of fiscal accountability. Using the metaphor bookkeeping, Wordpoints author, Gary Henry, offers this analogy. “If I accept accountability, that means I’m willing to let other people ‘audit my books.’ I’m willing for my deeds to be examined against fair standards of right and wrong, and if the audit shows that I’ve done anything amiss, then I’m willing to compensate anyone who’s been hurt and make restitution to the full extent of my ability.”

Sadly we live in a culture where so many shun personal accountability. In a game of partisan politics, elected officials blame others for our societal problems. Democrats blame Republicans. And Republicans blame Democrats. Criminals blame society for their misdeeds. Parents often blame the school system for their children’s failings. And kids blame other kids.

The late American writer and journalists, John Leo, was right when he wrote, “You can’t run a society or cope with its problems if people are not held accountable for what they do.”

This is true spiritually as well. It’s true among Christians. And it’s true in the church. I’ve heard wayward Christians blame their unfaithfulness on the preachers, the pastors, or other Christians. Or sometimes just the church in general that they feel has let them down. So, they are justified for quitting.

In all of these examples people are just looking for a scapegoat to dodge their personal responsibility. After all, if it’s someone else’s fault, that lets me off the hook.

Such finger pointing and buck passing, however, eludes a greater accountability. Daniel Webster was once asked, “What is the greatest thought that can occupy a man’s mind?” Webster replied, “His accountability to God.”

From Genesis to Revelation, it’s clear that God holds each person accountable for their decisions and behavior. Beginning with Eve who ate the forbidden fruit, her husband Adam, who also sinned, and to the serpent who beguiled them.

Even those identified as spiritual heroes in the Bible were accountable for their missteps and mistakes. Abraham. Jacob. Moses. Joshua. David. Solomon. As well as Jesus’ own apostles like Peter, James and John.

Additionally, the apostle Paul reminds us that we will reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7-9). Jesus’ parable of the talents also speaks to individual accountability and responsibility (Matt. 25:14-30).

It’s also important to remind preachers, pastors and Bible teachers that we’re accountable to God for our ministry. “Preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:1-“Watch for souls” (Heb 13:17). And “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15). We are all personally accountable for fulfilling the responsibilities of our ministry, to one another and ultimately to the Lord.

All of us have responsibilities in life. And we are accountable to someone to fulfill them. But there is this indisputable fact. We all have God-given responsibilities. And the Bible promises this: “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…So then each of us shall give account of himself to God (Rom 14:10-12).

Indeed, responsibility and accountability go hand in hand. As Stephen Covey expressed it, “Accountability breeds response-ability.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman