Honesty in Relationships: Accountability and Trust

Quite simply, fellowship is the cornerstone of spiritual growth. Christ built a church on earth so that those who follow him might join together and act as a body of believers. We are called to follow after God each according to his own, but while our personal faith is paramount, it is extremely difficult to flourish without the relationships we build through Christ.

Every person was created uniquely by God with specific gifts, talents, insights and lifestyles. Without a body of fellowship, which includes but is certainly not limited to churches, we do not have the ability to meet up with and worship alongside of other Christians who are, no doubt, different than us and offer unique outlooks on following after Christ.

Thus when these relationships are formed, they have to be, above all, loving and honest. It is impossible for multiple people to thrive in Christ if they do not share each other's burdens and joys, and in doing so encourage and build each other up towards God.

Hebrews 10:23-25 offers a solid foundation for effective and enjoyable Christian fellowship. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Honesty must be a given in a true relationship - whether it is based on Christ or not. Honesty means, in this context, that neither can you lie to someone who trusts you, but also that you hold the higher cause of Christ in favor of your brother. That may sound slighting, but it is not! This means that it is good and encouraging to challenge and confront your Christian peers.

Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." This is one of the fundamental truths of relationships. Accountability is so crucial for any group of believers and the individuals therein. So in holding the cause of Christ in higher regard than your brother, it must be realized that the cause of Christ calls to love unconditionally your peers and to lift them up, share their troubles and encourage them in honest love.

If a brother or sister in Christ is wrapped up by some sin, is it correct to let them continue to be entangled, or is it appropriate to confront them about it in love and to allow them to confess of their faults and be healed? To truly trust another Christian, it has to be established that both you and your brother have to be equally focused on God. It is through a mutual love of Christ that two Christians can constantly engage and challenge each other, love each other and spur each other on to grow in faith.

As well, accountability does not simply refer to the prevention and healing of sins between two or more people, but a lifestyle of community and loving help in relationships. Christ would not have established his church on earth if he did not know that accountability, trust and honesty were necessary for healthy and prolific relationships to grow. Through fellowship we are given, as Christians, a venue for the enjoyment of our peers and personal, spiritual growth.

God is the ultimate architect of all love, and He has provided a yearning for growth and healing to engage Christians together in discussion, laughter and love - for the sake of constantly flourishing in His plan.