Accountability – Developing a Godly Character, part 3
Posted by aaronjen | Filed under Books, Theology
I thought before I move on to the next chapter of Who You Are When No One’s Looking, I’d share some further thoughts on Christian accountability. While it’s not a character trait as such, I think it is a deeply important part of our character. The Mike Foster article I referred to in my last post at first glance seems to disagree with the idea of Christian accountability, but once you read it through you realize that really he’s talking about a radical vision for what Christian accountability should look like, and his preferred term for this is ‘Christian advocacy’. I think he is really on to something here, for in acting as someone else’s accountability person, you really do need to be their advocate, being prepared to show them grace above all else. Otherwise, how can a person be able to be genuinely open to sharing their struggles with you?! I also agree that there’s the tendency to ‘game the system’ by trying to promote how good you are to those you’re accountable to, or how hard you’ve had it, rather than owning up and taking responsibility for your actions.
The biggest pitfall I see in accountability set-ups is in their usually forced nature (someone needing to have security checks to make sure they are staying in line), and usually these will be from the bottom up, rather than the top down. The problem with this is that I think we should be focussing on who we model ourselves to, and when we become aware of the enormous responsibility that comes with, it forces us to be accountable to those people. I think that’s why Paul can confidently say stuff like:
I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me.
(1 Cor 4:16)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
(1 Cor 11:1)
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.
(Phil 3:17)
I used to think that this was very arrogant of Paul, but in reality, I think he is setting up accountability self-checks because they are to imitate him as he imitates Christ. I think this is the tell-tale sign that you are being open and honest about your character and actions, if you are confident enough to say to others that they can/should imitate you as you imitate Christ. If you’re not able to do that, well, then I think there’s work to be done (keeping in mind I haven’t reached that state yet myself). - JRR
Tags: accountability, advocacy, Bill Hybels, character, grace, Paul, Who You are When No One's Looking
