RIGHT or WRONG? Forgiveness vs accountability

Posted: 12/01/06

RIGHT or WRONG?
Forgiveness vs accountability

In many sermons, two terms—accountability and forgiveness—are mentioned as if they are separate Christian virtues. Am I missing the point in thinking they are two sides of the same coin?

Your question is complex, and you have not missed the point, but the answer lies somewhere between the two extremes. Accountability and forgiveness are not completely separate Christian virtues, but neither are they exactly two sides of the same coin. Their relationship is complicated.

Accountability concerns the recognition of the wrongs done in life, including both things we have done and things that have been done to us. Accountability requires that those wrongs not be ignored, as well as an acceptance that damage has occurred because of them. We personally are accountable to others when we have wronged them, and we are accountable to God for the commission of wrongs to him and his people. We also are justified in holding others accountable for wrongs committed against us. This accountability is not vindictive. It’s an honest appraisal of the actions and consequences of the wrongdoing.

The easiest illustration of accountability is the judicial system, in which a person is charged with a wrongful act. An honest appraisal is made of the facts in order to determine the damage and severity of the wrong. We usually call this a judgment.

Forgiveness is the sentencing after that judgment. Forgiveness does not deny the wrong or the damage done. But it chooses not to exact revenge or payment for that wrong. In fact, forgiveness cannot truly occur without accountability, for without the acknowledgement of the wrongdoing, there is nothing to forgive.

These concepts are most readily identifiable in the understanding of salvation itself. We all have done wrong, or sinned, and thus stand in opposition to the will of God. God has not ignored that sin. Our sinfulness is a source of great grief to God, and he holds us accountable for it. The facts are established, and we are found guilty.

Instead of continually punishing us for those sins, however, God has chosen to forgive us of our sins. This does not make good sense to us, but it is God’s way. In the seventh chapter of the New Testament book of Romans, the Apostle Paul struggles with this concept. He finds that in everything he does, he does wrong. He continually violates the will of God, doing the things he should not do, and not doing the things he should. Accounta-bility is found in verse 24 as he laments what a wretched man he is. That is an honest appraisal of his guilt. Forgiveness is found in verse 25, as he rejoices that God saves him from that sin instead of punishing him for it.

Most of us are quick to accept responsibility for our actions as long as we know forgiveness will be the result—if we will get “off the hook.” True accountability does not see forgiveness in that light. Accountability deals frankly with the severity of the wrong and is immensely grateful for the forgiveness.

These concepts are not just between God and us. In our prayers to be forgiven as we have forgiven others, we acknowledge that we, too, have a responsibility to accurately acknowledge the wrongs others have done to us but to forgive them.

Accountability and forgiveness are integrally joined and provide evidence of a commitment to doing things God’s way. This relationship is one we gratefully accept from God and offer to those around us.

Van Christian, pastor

First Baptist Church

Comanche

Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to btillman@hsutx.edu.