Accountability

Holding people accountable in love is not practiced in the church very much anymore, but it should be.  Holding people accountable is an important practice that helps both parties that are involved in the offense to do the right thing.  If people continue to get away with offending or sinning against people they will probably make it a habit.  

Sometimes the problem is that the person may not even know they offended someone and it is up to the person who is offended to let the other party know so they can make things right.  When this is done out of love with the right attitude both parties have a chance to deal with it without offence.  If the person that is offended lets the offender know about the problem and the offender choses to do nothing about it, then you have to put that person in the Lord’s hands and let the Lord deal with them.

This problem takes place far too often in the church and it causes anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness which can cause separation and division.  This is the devil’s work and he loves it when this happens and he will be glad to put thoughts of revenge in your mind, which if acted upon will bring about devastating results.  Un-forgiveness and bitterness are terrible partners to hang out with, they will cause sickness, decay, ruin and destruction in your life.

The Word says in Romans 12:17-21, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.  On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

It takes a far better man to forgive than to take revenge and the outcome is so much sweeter.  I have said this before in other ‘Tidbits’ but I’m going to say it again because I think it is worth repeating, I think everyone is sort of a reflection of everyone else, you may be offended today and you may offend someone else tomorrow.  None of us are perfect, we all sin and offend someone at one time or another.  I am not saying that we just excuse the sin by sweeping it under the rug, so to speak, but we have an obligation to forgive because we have been forgiven, but it may take a while to trust that person again.  What do you do if a person sins against you and it was done purposely and the person asks you to forgive them?

Check out Matthew 18:15-20, “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.  But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.  I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.  For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

These are the guidelines Jesus used for someone who sins against us. When was the last time someone sinned against you and asked for your forgiveness?  When was the last time you sinned against someone and asked the person, or persons, to forgive you?  The Word says if you don’t forgive from the heart you will not be forgiven.  Check out the prayer the Lord taught His disciples to pray, we call it the Lord’s Prayer.  Something to think about, have a great day and may the Lord bless you and yours!! Remember to thank and praise the Lord.