Nothing, consequently, is now condemnation to those in Christ Jesus, Not according to flesh are they walking, but according to spirit
Paul to the Romans 8: 1, Concordant New Testament
A good friend sent me an article the other day which asked the question, why is it that men dislike being in groups? Well, let's first address the elephant in the room in that women are more relational than men. Therefore, I'm not shocked when I hear that men are not inclined to participate in church small groups, it's not in our DNA. I can speak to this from the experience of having been involved in more than a few small groups in my day. Does this mean that men are not relational? Not at all, we're just not designed to be as relational as our female counterparts. Think of a group of guys gathered around a TV watching a football game. Think of a group of friends gathered together at a bar shooting the bull. It's not that we're non relational, we just often prefer to be that lone wolf. But how does this play out in the church setting? Well, I can recall being involved in more than a few accountability groups where I came away feeling much unlike a good person and more like that condemned sinner. Has anyone ever felt that way? I would say that accountability groups are designed not for accountability, but for accusations. Sure, we can sugar coat it and say that we're in it for the accountability, but what happens when someone eventually opens up in true accountability and is immediately accused of being weak in their faith or commitment to the Lord? Yes, this has happened to me in a few of these groups. I came away feeling not like a valued friend, but as someone who had been condemned by others. By definition, being accountable consists of taking responsibility for our own actions. If I mess up, I fess up. I have no issue with this part of being accountable to others. What I DO take issue with is the practice many well meaning Christians take in response to someone admitting their faults. It seems that pointing the finger of accusation is the most common response to someone who admits their faults. Tell me, is this how God has approached our own failures?
The apostle Paul has spoken to the practice of condemning others in his letter to the church in Rome. That "Nothing, consequently, is condemnation for those in Christ Jesus" {Paul to the Romans 8:1}. Paul also asks, who is it that condemns us? Is it Jesus? He Who is also "Pleading for our sakes" {Paul to the Romans 8:34}. Therefore, if Christ does not condemn us, who is left? Nobody except those in the flesh who surround us. One thing I've learned is that when others accuse us of something, they feel convicted of it themselves. The true meaning of a group centered on accountability should be to uplift and never to tear down. For this is the desire of the Father. As Jesus has proclaimed, we are to love one another {Johns Account 13:34-35}. The apostle John takes this a step further when he claims that those who do not love have not known God, for God is love {First Epistle of John 4:8}. The Father has graced mankind with His one true love nature by dispatching His Son to be that sacrifice for us {Johns Account 3:16-17}. What has man done but to condemn others? Again, who is it that condemns? Is it God? No! I would say that accountability is not accountability without the forgiveness and grace granted us by the Father. The forgiveness which we are free to give unto others if we choose to. Accountability grows the individual in the Lord, it never condemns.
Who is the condemner? Christ Jesus, the One dying, yet rather being roused, Who is also at God's right hand, Who is also pleading for our sakes?
Paul to the Romans 8: 34, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
No comments:
Post a Comment