Accountability and Encouragement?

We hear a great deal today about the need for more accountability. We want our politicians and government leaders to be more accountable for how they govern. We want business and industry to be more accountable to their customers and workers. We want our church leaders to be more accountable for how they lead. But is this the best way to address the many human failings we see around us? 

From Heaven's perspective, accountability is a “given”. Moses warned, “…you may be sure that your sin will find you out,” (Num 32:23). The New Testament also warns, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows,” (Gal 6:7). Mankind cannot escape accountability. No one’s going to get away with anything.

Now I am not suggesting that we ignore the wrong that others do, or that we excuse bad behavior; especially when it comes from those in leadership: “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning,” (1Tim 5:23). To the rest, Jesus added, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,” (Luke 17:3).

But what is often overlooked is the other side of the coin. Five times in the New Testament we read of ministers being sent to churches for the express purpose of “encouragement”: (Acts 15:32, Ro 12:8, Eph 6:22, Col 4:8; 1Thes 3:2). Ten more times, the New Testament instructs believers to make a concerted effort to encourage one another: (1Thes 4:18,5:11,14; 2Thes 2:17; 2Tim 4:2, Tit 1:9,2:6,15, Heb 3:13,10:25). In most of Paul’s letters to the Churches, he began by commending them on the good they were doing, before he addressed their shortcomings. And he always closed with a word of encouragement. So too in the Old Testament, God regularly encouraged Israel: “…do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Jos 1:6-9)

It appears that the greater problem is not a lack of accountability, but the discouargement we experience when we realize that we have made bad choices that have led to even worse consequences. We begin to rot in the shame of the past, that we cannot change; we become terrorized by the future, over which we have little control. Our thought life becomes clouded with the haunting personal awareness of our flaws and failings. We dutifully beat ourselves with up the negative self-talk filled with shame, dark regrets, and self-pity.

How does one break this cycle? First by admitting to God, without excuse, our sin. Second, by accepting God’s unconditional forgiveness: “If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins…who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness…” (Ps 130:3,4) Third, by encouragings others: “Praise be to the God …of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”(2Cor 1:3,4)

Becoming an encourager. It’s the most encouraging thing you can do. Encourage someone today!