Accountability is a two way street. Being a true friend that speaks life into a brother or sister’s bad situation is a tremendous blessing – but let’s face it, we all need to spend some time in our own backyard. Otherwise we lose credibility and influence – no matter how much truth you speak.
Jesus said; “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:4-5)
Doing a little housekeeping (especially deep cleaning) will reveal a lot about how you live day to day. On the surface everything is very presentable – but then we never expect guest to look in our closets, under beds, or behind appliances… you get my point. It’s the hidden stuff that builds over time that invites vermin or cause sickness.
This same principle is applicable on the large scale. When things are ugly in plain site – it didn’t happen overnight. It comes from apathy, or doing just enough to say you did something. Jesus set the bar much higher and He expects us to exceed it:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” (John 14:12)
We have to hold each other and especially those who represent us accountable. How effective we are depends who sets the standard.
Not By Bread Alone 