Between Two Worlds

Jonathan Dodsen, writing on Accountability Groups in the latest Journal for Biblical Counseling, observes that many evangelicals practice a distorted, hollow, legalistic approach to accountability: "First, we short-circuit our relationship with the Trinity; we don’t trust our Father; we sell out the Son’s sacrifice, and we slight the Spirit. Second, in addition to trivializing the Trinity, we settle for the fleeting pleasure of peer approval or cheap peace when we could have 'pleasures forevermore' in our relationship with God (Ps. 16.11). Third, we displace Christ from our Christianity by either relying on our rituals or the fear of man to motivate holiness. By sidestepping Jesus, we dishonor God and demean His gracious provision."

To "avoid the confessional booth mentality and legalistic accountability," Dodsen suggests two essential remedies: first, taking the Scriptural warnings seriously (Heb. 12:14); and second, remembering and heeding the powerful and precious promises of God (2 Pet. 1:4).

Drawing upon the writings of John Owen (esp. Mortification and Temptation), Dodsen then delineates three principles for accountability groups:

1. Identification: Know thy Sin.
2. Mortification: Be killing sin lest it be killing you.
3. Sanctification: Set thy faith on His promises.

He then shares the ways in which his own accountability group has sought to apply these principles in their interaction together:

• We aim to diligently identify sinful patterns in our lives and share them with one another.
• We pray for one another about these weaknesses and ask one another each week if we are
• struggling well.
• We suggest promises to one another that are related to a particular battle.
• We plead with God for earnestness in our pursuit of personal holiness, which is fostered
• by a shared commitment to the mortification of sin.
• In all of this we strive to be governed and guided by grace.

Read the whole thing.