The Need For Accountability In The Church

INTRO

Churches in the west, especially America, should pay special attention to 1 and 2 Corinthians because America could be a Corinth. We have influences from everywhere that we try to keep up and compete with. The American church has great influence, but we seem to struggle with accountability. When Paul wrote this letter, he wanted to put his best foot forward. He knew his heart and motive and the burden in his heart. The struggle was how to put that on paper.

TEACHING

2 Corinthians 2:1-2: Paul said he would not come to Corinth again on a painful visit that would cause them grief or sorrow. He didn’t want to bring hardship on them. Paul didn’t want them to think the only reason he came to Corinth was to bring correction or to lord it over them. Instead, he wanted the Corinthians to know they were his joy and wanted to see the light (of Christ) coming out of them. But if allowed to continue down the paths they were on, Paul was afraid the light of the Treasure (2 Corinthians 4:7) would be covered up by the cracks in the pot instead of shining through the broken vessel.

2 Corinthians 2:3: What Paul really wanted to see was them flourishing in their faith, but if he didn’t correct them, they wouldn’t be the treasure they were supposed to be. Yes, many influences came into Corinth, but many influences also went out of Corinth. If the gospel was in its proper form, it would go out from Corinth. But, Paul was afraid the influences coming into Corinth were diminishing the gospel going out. If false teachers perverted the gospel, their treasure would be tainted.

2 Corinthians 2:4: This verse clarified Paul’s motive for writing. He agonized over writing this letter to them. Paul wanted them to know he had written this harsh letter to them because of his abundant love for them.

2 Corinthians 2:5–7: If someone in the church caused grief, it would not affect Paul because he was not there; however, it would taint the message of the Treasure or the witness of the church. Most likely, Paul was referring to the incident in 1 Corinthians 5 of sexual immorality among the congregation. Paul had told them to deliver such a one “to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Since they had done that, Paul now urged them to forgive and comfort the sinner so he would not “be overwhelmed by excessive grief” (v. 7).

Confronting a believer about sin in his/her life is never easy, but the Treasure must be protected and the message pure. Then, when you see genuine repentance, it’s time to forgive and say, “Welcome home.” As believers, maybe we should express to others our desire to walk in fellowship with God and invite them to hold us accountable when our words, attitudes, and actions need correcting. After all, any of us are susceptible to temptation. But if our heart’s desire is to please God, if our purity of motive is to follow the ways of God, then we can hold each other accountable.

2 Corinthians 2:8–11: Redemption is sweet, so when one who has been confronted then repents, bring him/her back in and reaffirm your love for him/her. Paul’s ulterior motive in writing was to find out if they would be obedient in all things (v. 9). Paul gave them permission to speak for him, saying that if they had forgiven someone, then Paul had also forgiven them (v. 10). Satan’s greatest device, or scheme, is the lie that divides and conquers and it’s deceitfulness of one fashion or another, which results in pride and ownership that will separate relationships. Satan’s devices are very easy to detect in others yet very difficult to see in ourselves. Satan wanted to bring division in the church so the reputation of the gospel was soiled and the gospel could not be furthered throughout Corinth.

2 Corinthians 2:12–13: Paul had gone to Troas to preach the gospel, but when he could not find Titus there, he departed for Macedonia.

2 Corinthians 2:14–17: Going to Macedonia ended up being a good thing because God allowed Paul to preach the gospel there. Paul went on to say believers “are the fragrance of Christ” (v. 15). To those who refuse the gospel, believers are the “aroma of death leading to death,” but to those who receive the gospel, believers are “an aroma of life leading to life” (v. 16). Believers bear the burden of both of these responses, which led Paul to ask, “Who is competent for this?” Paul put his reputation on the line and spoke the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He spoke the sincere message of Christ (v. 17).

CLOSING

These are the burdens of the Word of God. This is the way of righteousness in the church today. I pray God will open the doors of accountability among us in the church and leaders of the church today.