I consider myself to by somewhat handy with tools around the house. Given a little bit of time, some instructions, and (often) more patience than I have, I can fix most things. However, when it comes to cars, I can put gas in them, turn on the radio, and drive them. Other than that, I need a mechanic! So, when my distributor went out, I was looking at a big bill for labor cost. My co-workers told me they would do it for me if I would just get the part and bring it in. So, on the day the car was scheduled for distributor surgery, my co-worker came out to the parking lot with me and began. He needed to get something from the trunk of his own car, first. When we walked over there, he tapped the back end 3 times before inserting the key. The other co-worker just laughed and said that a mechanic’s own vehicle is always neglected. It did not inspire confidence in me. But he did the installation just fine, and my car worked great!
This is a “real world” illustration of what Rich is talking about in his song Brother’s Keeper. In one line, he even says, the mechanic’s got a clank in his car.
It is not your job as a Christian to monitor every profession in the world to ensure that they do their job effectively. However, it is your duty to hold fellow Christians accountable.
As Christian’s, we place a lot of emphasis on “reaching the lost,” and that is important. However, while attention is being paid to the outside world, never lose focus of those that may be struggling that have already made a commitment. Sometimes a sheep just needs a little extra attention to stay with the flock
Accountability happens at 3 levels:
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (Ps. 1:1 NKJV)
- Prevention. There are two places to get advice (counsel) from: the church, or outside the church. Of course, when I say “church,” I am referring to the church as a whole, not your local meeting place. If you know a Christian is listening to ungodly counsel, then it is your duty to give them the godly counsel to replace the wrong advice they had.
- Correction. This is the point where you see a Christian doing things that they shouldn’t do. The scripture says they are literally hanging out with sinners. The implication here is that they are joining in and doing the things that the sinners are doing. Correction must be made:
Brothers and sisters, even if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:1-2 NASB)
- Redirection. This is a rescue operation. A Christian has walked away from God and needs to be brought back.
My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (Jam. 5:19-20 NASB)
If you notice, these three levels are like a staircase. A person is not living as a Christian and suddenly jump to this step. It is a gradual process, but over time can have devastating results in the lives of a Christian.
This is why we hold each other accountable. It is a good practice to seek accountability from one another. But, if you see that someone needs to be held accountable, don’t wait for him/her to ask, make them accountable!
When I was in the military, there was and Admiral that sent out safety reports that I loved to read because they were always humorous. In one particular report, he had become quite frustrated with the lack of accountability that the sailors in his command had for one another. He changed his tone and wrote a very interesting piece. I have changed a few of his words so that it would fit my audience (although I did not change much). Here is what was published:
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that because you cannot save the whole of mankind, you have failed. I’m not asking you to save the world. Just to change one life for the kingdom of God, then another, then another. I don’t believe that all the world will come to know Christ, but all should have the chance. My heart tells me that all it will take for our future kingdom to be as full as it possibly can be is for each of us to practice being accountable to one another. Our answer, when someone asks that ancient question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” ought to be: “If you’re not, Christian, you’re in the wrong business.”
Brother’s Keeper
Now the plumber’s got a drip in his spigot
The mechanic’s got a clank in his car
And the preacher’s thinking thoughts that are wicked
And the lover’s got a lonely heart
My friends ain’t the way I wish they were
They are just the way they are
And I will be my brother’s keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won’t despise him for his weakness
I won’t regard him for his strength
I won’t take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will, I will be my brother’s keeper
Now this roof has got a few missing shingles
But at least we got ourselves a roof
And they say that she’s a fallen angel
I wonder if she recalls when she last flew
There’s no point in pointing fingers
Unless you’re pointing to the truth
And I will be my brother’s keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won’t despise him for his weakness
I won’t regard him for his strength
I won’t take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will, I will be my brother’s keeper
I will be my brother’s keeper
Not the one who judges him
I won’t despise him for his weakness
I won’t regard him for his strength
I won’t take away his freedom
I will help him learn to stand
And I will, I will be my brother’s keeper
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