Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
We hear a great deal today about 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 I wonder if God is as concerned about accountability as we are? You see, from Heaven's perspective, accountability is a “given”. Moses put it clearly enough: “…you may be sure that your sin will find you out,” (Numbers 32:23). Likewise, Paul warned: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows,” (Galatians 6:7). Mankind cannot escape accountability!
Now I am not suggesting that we ignore the wrong that others do; or that we excuse bad behavior, especially when it is our leaders who are doing wrong. Paul puts it pretty clear: “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning,” (1 Timothy 5:23). And with regards to everyone else, Jesus added, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).
Yet is that all there is to it? Is being a Christian only about looking for and pointing out where others are falling short? I don’t think so. There is another side to the coin that often gets overlooked. It is often the missing ingredient in the way Christians care for one another: Encouragement!
Five times in the New Testament, we read of ministers being sent to churches for the express purpose of encouraging them: (Acts 15:32, Romans 12:8, Ephesians 6:22, Colossians 4:8; 1Thessalonians 3:2). Ten more times, the New Testament instructs believers to make a concerted effort to encourage one another: (1Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11, 14, 2Thessalonians 2:17, 2Timothy 4:2, Titus 1:9, 2:6, 15, Hebrews 3:13, 10:25). Similarly, in the Old Testament, we repeatedly read of God encouraging Israel, as He did with Joshua as he prepared to invade the Promised Land:
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous...have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:6-9)
We live in a world that is full of discouraging words. More needful today are not constant reminders of what is wrong, but encouragement to, as Paul wrote,
“…stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain,” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Accountability for sin will come in its own time. It will be absolute and unerring. No one will get away with anything. So instead of focusing upon holding people accountable, or setting things right, or settling scores, let’s instead follow the council of Hebrews 10:25, “…let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”