The benefits of accountability

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. ² An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. ⁴ He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity ⁵ (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), ⁶ and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. ⁷ And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Application: Paul now introduces the list of qualifications that God has given for those men that desire to be elders in the Body of Christ. It is important that before we look at each quality that we consider why God has been so specific with this list of qualifications. God never does things without a purpose, He would not make a list of qualifications for no reason, our Lord expects the leaders of His church to be accountable to Him first, to their peers second and then to all the Body of Christ. This is what we call accountability. It is helpful for us to consider what accountability brings into the life of every individual. So even though this passage is specifically speaking to the office of eldership, the universal principle of accountability that applies to each one of us and why it is necessary is important to understand. Every one of us needs accountability in our life, but why? Is this some sort of control tactic used in some corporations or in cults to keep their members in line? No, this has more to do with freedom than control. The quality in our character that accountability produces actually gives us freedom to enjoy our relationship with our Maker and with each other better. It helps us to be “real” and honest as individuals, by removing façades and false self images, titles and outward appearances, the new creature God is creating us into, becomes evident. True accountability encourages people to be just who they really are, and keeps them from developing a public life and a private life that contradict each other. This is not only important for leaders, but for all of us. Here are some other outward benefits that accountability brings into the life of a Christian leader.

*Honesty – it is what sets us apart from all else. It is what makes leadership authentic. Showing that, the standards that you are teaching is do’ able, and beneficial. It is easy to say forgive and love your enemies, accountability makes that a way of life.

*Vulnerability - Note - no one can keep you accountable if you do not let them into your life. Accountability is the bridge that God uses to help us open ourselves up to fellow believers that can come alongside us, encourage us and even confront us. This transparency is also vital in leadership; it allows those that we lead to know that we are just like them, sinners saved by grace.  

*Reality – Life as it really is. When we share our victories and our defeats with those that we are teaching, leading, or walking along life’s path we show them we are susceptible to same life challenges, no pie in the sky, the victories are great but the war goes on. This helps every individual to realize that we are not here to hold onto life, to hoard our money, time or talents. We are to pour ourselves into the lives of others, there'll be great fruit and many victories, but there will also be disappointments and deep hurts, in other words - real life.

Meditation Questions: Do you have people in your life that have the freedom to encourage you? Counsel you? Confront you? What does your answer say about who you are? What do you feel when you are criticized? Do you seek to find out if the criticism is true? What does your answer show you? Do you have people in your life that you can mentor and guide? How important is that to you? What do you think Christ’s desire for us is? What are you doing to accomplish that?