Verse: Galatians 2:1-5
Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
Devotion
What I like about this passage is it shows Paul’s humility and confidence working together at the same time. His humility was on display because he is sharing how he made himself accountable. And his confidence is seen in his refusal to give in to the people who are trying to add rules and restrictions to the gospel of Jesus.
What I take away from this passage though, is the power of accountability. In my experience it gives us at least three advantages:
1 – It gives us another lens to see a situation through. I find in my life that it can be easy to become tunnel-visioned about a topic or an issue in my life. I can get to where I only see a thing my way. Becoming accountable to others forces me to grapple with another perspective, which can often be different than mine.
2 – It defeats secrecy. Have you ever had something in your life that you’d rather other people didn’t find out about? A decision you made, or a relationship, or something you did? When we are truly accountable with a safe friend or mentor, it removes the power of secrecy. When we keep secrets, it’s like reserving a space in our lives for darkness to gather. Becoming accountable to another believer shines light into that area and brings freedom and healing.
3 – It creates space for confession and wise counsel. When I have relationships in my life that I am accountable in, they automatically create space for honest conversation on a spiritual level. Having someone you can confess to is incredibly powerful and freeing. James tells us that when we confess to each other, we find healing (James 5:16.) There is so much liberating power in confession to others. And accountability also opens the door for people to speak wise counsel into our lives.
So the question really is, who do you have in your life that you can be accountable with? Are you sharing with anyone currently? Who could you seek out if not? It takes effort and vulnerability and humility – but it is worth it!
Prayer
Show me, Lord, who in my life I can become accountable to, and give me the courage to seek them out.
Author: Christian Dunn
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