Accountability—God’s Church

This article is a little lengthy, so to save space, I have linked many of the scriptures to KJV Online Bible.

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God created the human race with the need of accountability. He created us with the need of an outside, tangible source, with which to align our thoughts and actions and hold us accountable. Ah, but we do not like to be told what to do! It is contrary to our default nature—we like to be independent! We think we “got” this and do not need anyone to tell us we may be wrong. This is evident even in little children. However, without accountability, the human moral compass will eventually swing to its own “north”—self-reliance, self-indulgence and self-gratification. Therefore, the Christian needs a church that holds them to a biblical standard—not just a live-and-let-live, pat-each-other-on-the-back church. No, they need the church of God, who will hold them accountable for sin, without which they will drift away from God—following their own selfish desires, and erroneous spirits.

Just as any successful business has its chain of command, goals, and order of operation, so God created a system of authority—checks and balances to keep us on the correct path. This is true both in our physical world as well as in our spiritual lives. This does not mean we are constantly being corrected, no-in-deed. It is more like a plumb line to align our lives by, and if that fails, the authority to bring us to personal accountability. This can happen by listening to the preaching of the word, in Sunday School discussions, or in sharing with our brothers and sisters.

The need for accountability goes back as far as time itself. God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. He gave them complete freedom to live as they wanted, except they were not to touch or eat of the tree in the middle of the garden, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He said the day they did, they would surely die. See Genesis 2:15-17 True to human nature and the influence of evil, that tree became their undoing—their natural curiosity got them in trouble. They saw, they listened to the deceiver, and they partook, and immediately they knew they were guilty of disobedience. God held them accountable for their choice and by consequence, put them out of the perfect, beautiful garden, lest they should eat of the tree of life and live forever. Since that time, all humanity has suffered hardship, woe, pain and sorrow.  Unfortunately, their choice turned out to affect them in ways they did not expect. Fortunately, God still loved them and prepared a way of redemption to save them from sin. See Genesis 3.

God knew that man was not capable of complete self-government. He knew that they would be selfish and tempted to follow their own desires, so He set in motion the law of accountability to keep them from going astray. He created the natural law of sowing and reaping.

In time, God gave the law to the children of Israel which included the moral, civil, and ceremonial laws which governed all aspects of their lives and worship. This indicates the thoroughness of God. He had a plan for every part of their life, nothing excluded—from their government to the way they should conduct their daily lives, to the way they were to worship God and remain good and pure. As long as this was followed, they lived good and prosperous lives. When they sinned and forsook God’s law, He brought circumstances and their enemies to punish them. Most often this caused them to turn back to God.

The purpose of God’s law was not just a set of rules that only benefited God, it was for their own good. Ultimately it was about saving their souls, but it also spared them many of the diseases and other problems that plagued their heathen neighbors. In keeping it, they experienced many blessings in their families and material pursuits.

We live in the gospel era, which in many aspects is different from the old Jewish law. However, Jesus did not disregard the law, but His kingdom goes beyond it. The law is still embodied in salvation. Any sin humankind commits can be found in the Ten Commandments which were given by God to Moses.

Today the Holy Spirit lives within us, judging sin in the heart as spirits, before they become actions. Instead of a priest offering animal sacrifices for our sins, we have Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for sin by His death, and now is our advocate, sitting at the right hand of the Father. By this work of grace, we can have a personal relationship with Him, He is our Savior and friend. Yet, His word, the Bible, is still the judge of our lives. When we surrender our lives to Him, He saves us, removing the curse of sin and gives us the Holy Spirit as a guide and comforter.

Being born again, does not make us independent and without the need of spiritual and physical accountability. If we were able to live perfect lives, that may be possible, but we are still human and prone to fail, both spiritually and in keeping the laws of the land.

Jesus recognized earthly governments as given by God to govern unregenerated man. Laws are created to keep order and protect the people. Those who disobey them are guilty and must accept the consequences. Punishment is then given to help the transgressor change their behavior and make them into better citizens. Indirectly, it is God’s way of placing judgment on the anti-authority in their lives. God’s design is that punishment for wrongdoing will turn people back to Him where they can find salvation for their souls. God created earthly governments to hold the natural man accountable for their actions. In essence, it is an extension of His love so that evil does not prevail over good.

There are benefits when earthly governments recognize God as a supreme ultimate judge and uphold the Biblical standard of right and wrong. It gives them the moral anchor which stabilizes their decisions and laws. They realize that ultimately, they are under the authority of God. Those who do not follow that order, or those that forsake God, have lost their moral compass and have the potential to subject their people to all manner of evil.

On the contrary, God’s kingdom is a spiritual one which supersedes all earthly kingdoms. When people enter that kingdom, they naturally become better citizens of the country where they live. They will not obey laws which are contrary to the will of God, but they will live upright lives that strive to do good for their country and their fellow men.

To understand our accountability to God’s church, we must understand the chain of authority. God first, the creator of all and the final authority. He possesses the world and everything in it. Next, we have Jesus, our redeemer, who is one with the Father but subject to Him. He is the bridegroom of His church, whom He purchased with His blood. There is also the Holy Spirit, who is also part of the Trinity, the voice of God. Whatever God says, He speaks to humankind. Those three make up the Godhead. There are angels, which are God’s messengers and protecters sent to earth to do His bidding. We do not worship them, but they are heavenly being sent from God.

God created a perfect plan on earth to redeem humanity from sin. When they fell into sin, He promised to send a redeemer to save them. The prophecy was somewhat obscure and much time elapsed until Jesus came. God allowed people to offer animal sacrifices to cover their sins until the promise was fulfilled. The Bible says, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” Galatians 4:4 

The beginning of the fulfillment of that promise was started when God gave the law to Moses. It provided them with judgment on sin, and how to deal with it. The requirements of the law were completed with the death and resurrection of Jesus and His ascension back to His Father.

This chain of events included Jesus establishing His church with the apostles. To them He revealed His plan which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. To those new believers, God gave the authority to interpret what was sin through the direction of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came down as fire on the heads of those present, and they spoke in tongues and worked miracles. That was the first experience of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a universal way to the followers of Christ.  Through the Holy Spirit, they were given the vision and authority to identify and judge spirits that were not of God. We can read some examples of that in the book of Acts. Those that possessed the spirit of God were baptized into one fellowship. They became subject to that Holy Spirit led group of believers. That group of believers had a God given order to function as a church, with authority and accountability. As this group of believers spread, they retained the unity of the Holy Spirit as revealed to them at Pentecost. We have an example in the book of Acts, where they sent a delegation back to Jerusalem with questions pertaining to Gentiles observing the old Jewish law. A group gathered for that hearing and sent Holy Spirit inspired direction back to their brothers and sisters in the country where they resided. See Acts 15. This oneness and authority of the church, was what Jesus taught in Matthew 18 when He talked about the keys of the kingdom, and expressed in His prayer, “that they may be one, as we are one.” John 17:11. That oneness and unity is found throughout the teaching of the New Testament.

Those who allowed sin in their lives or did not have that oneness and unity of the Holy Spirit, were cut off from the fellowship and avoided in certain matters till they realized the error of their ways. Romans 16:17. 1 Corinthians 5. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. This is very similar to the punishment that God used when the children of Israel sinned. That same oneness of fellowship and doctrine has been the hallmark and keeping of the true church throughout history and continues today.

God did not randomly create the church because He thought it would be a nice thing to have. He created it for our safety, and His honor and glory. The church is the spiritual bride of Christ. See Revelations 21:2.  Paul also compared the relationship of a husband and wife to the relationship of Christ and the church. See Ephesians 5:23  

In John the Revelator’s vision he saw the church of God descending out from heaven as a bride adorned for her husband. See Revelation 21:2-3 as well as  2 Corinthians 11:2 . As a bride is the honor and glory of her bridegroom, so is the church of God the honor and glory of Christ.

The church of God, as the bride of Christ must present herself pure and undefiled to her bridegroom on her wedding day. As a bride prepares for her wedding day, so the church Of God prepares herself for the return of her bridegroom, Jesus Christ, on the day when God calls the whole world into judgment. She keeps her outward garments clean and her heart pure. Her love is undivided, and keeps her from anything that would displease or dishonor Him. She will not partake of sin or activity, that would soil her wedding garment, for all her love and devotion, honor and glory belong to Him. She knows by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit, how to make herself ready for His coming.

Christ’s love for His bride is pure and complete—He watches over her with jealous care. No one holds a higher place in His heart than His beloved bride, and He will go to all ends to protect her and provide for her, for she is the treasure of His heart. He paid the price for her with His blood.

The relationship of Christ and the church of God, goes beyond one’s personal relationship with Jesus, to a collective relationship where her members as a body, make up the bride of Christ. They are concerned that the whole body is pure and ready for His return. This makes them concerned for the spiritual welfare of each member, so that the whole body brings honor and glory to their bride groom, Jesus Christ. They are responsible not only for their individual lives, but for each other. They are aware that sin must be dealt with to maintain her purity so that she is ready for His return.

Sometimes we chafe under her authority and feel like we are overreached or misunderstood. While that may be possible, we must remember that she is God’s creation, full of fallible men and women. The reason for her existence is to provide us with the protection, care, and fellowship necessary to be saved. She is not our Savior—she is our spiritual home. She is our place of spiritual safety from deceptive and humanistic spirits. She holds us accountable in our everyday lives. We do not worship her—we worship our Savior Jesus Christ and the Father.

The church of God is not exclusive, believing only her members will be saved. Even in the Old Testament times, there were faithful followers of God who were not Israelites. Abraham himself was chosen from those followers.

Baptism does not save us—consider the thief on the cross. Luke 23:43. It is an expression of faith, and when administered by the church of God, a door into her ranks. Acts 2:38–41, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:4–6.

Every person enters into the kingdom of God through the door of the New Birth, regardless of culture, background or ethnicity.  They enter that door through repentance and the New Birth. John 3:1-21, Acts 3:19. The Holy Spirit then becomes the director of their lives. They must obey Him to retain those priceless treasures of redemption from sin. Disobedience to Him will result in a lack of grace and eventually falling back into sin. John 14:24-27, Ephesian 4:30.

Nature itself teaches us that God created people with the need to belong. Born again children of God, naturally feel the need of the safety of a family of believers. They long to share in the faith, fellowship, and security it brings. The Holy Spirit unites them with those who possess the same spirit. This is not always logistically possible, but God gives grace for those lone believers scattered throughout the world to be faithful where they are.

According to the scripture, should one who has been part of the church of God, and through their own willful choice left her and been excommunicated, cannot be fully restored back to God, without becoming reconciled to His bride, the church of God. 1Corinthians 5:3-11, 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15. The judgements placed by God’s church, falls under the authority given by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-19. This also means that those in God’s church carry a responsibility to exercise all the spiritual care—warning their fellow brothers and sisters of spiritual pitfalls. If they do not heed that warning, then steps must be taken according to the scripture, to keep the bride of Christ clean and pure. Sin must be judged and removed to keep it from leading others astray. 1 Corinthians 5:6-7.

There are progressive sins and there are sins unto spiritual death. The former can be encouraged and prayed for, while the latter must be purged by taking the sin outside of the church of God. 1 John 5:16

Excommunication is not a punishment for sin like we would think of a crime, but until such a one finds forgiveness and redemption from God for the sin they committed. 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 It is reminiscent of the children of Israel taking some sins and dealing with them outside of the city. Jesus himself is an example, when He took the sin of the world upon himself and was put to death outside the city of Jerusalem. Hebrews 13:11-13  The church of God, through the Holy Spirit, judges those within, but the word of God judges those without. 1Corinthians 5:12-13

When a congregation or the larger body places judgment on a particular thing or on an individual, God honors that judgement. Because she is the bride of Christ, that judgment must not be taken lightly. God blesses the person with grace when they take heed to that judgment. This ability to place judgment, is a proof of the authenticity of the church of God. When she loses that ability, she ceases to be the bride of Christ.

Many churches preach the gospel, presenting salvation to all who will hear and listen. People are born again and live changed lives, but this does not make them the church of God. God calls and saves any person who seeks Him with a humble honest heart, regardless of where they are.

The Bible tells us that there will be deceptive spirits that mimic the truth—experiencing miracles but are not of God. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 7:19-23  We need the Holy Spirit to help us know the spirits. Unless we have Him living in our hearts, we are not children of God. Romans 8:9, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:5-9

A common teaching is that when one is born again and baptized, they become part of the church of God. With such a wide variety of doctrines, beliefs, and practices in the churches of the day, it would be impossible to call all baptized believers one in doctrine and fellowship. With such differences, how would one carry out brotherly care and church discipline? How can you find unity and security when people claim to have a relationship with God while living with sin in their lives and do not possess the Holy Spirit? Who will hold them accountable to the Biblical standard of truth? Read 1Corinthians 12  This belief hardly aligns with the oneness in doctrine and fellowship as taught in the New Testament. Whereas their baptism may be an expression of their faith, it does not necessarily make them one with the church of God.

The church of God is made up of those who are united in fellowship on all points of doctrine, possessing the leading of the Holy Spirit. The members care for, and about each other, like the care of a family. They are concerned that nothing separates them from God and are accountable to each other and to God in every aspect of their lives. They love each other and forgive each other. They prove the spirits in their born-again believers, and each other. They practice all the teaching and doctrine of the word of God. They trust in the Holy Spirit to give them direction in their personal lives, as well as a body of believers. They come together as a group to seek God’s direction for the matters of the day. They hold the decisions made as a body in group council, as the highest authority in the church. They live pure lives. Their ministers carry the weight and responsibility of the salvation of the souls God has entrusted to their care. They believe the church is not just for saving souls but keeping them saved until they are taken home to glory. They are in the world, but not of the world. They are not entangled with earthly governments, neither do they go to war or use the force of the law to their benefit. Matthew 5:38-41 They are law abiding citizens of their country as long as it does not conflict with the commandments and teachings of Jesus Christ. They are part of the kingdom of peace, which is separate from all earthly governments. John 18:36

Another hallmark of the church of God, is that she believes and practices the ministry of reconciliation. While some may “agree to disagree” she believes there is grace within the body of Christ, to heal human infractions and differences that arise. This cannot be done without the grace and power of God, for He alone can work the work of humility and forgiveness in the heart so that divisions and wounds can be healed. Once again, we come back to the unity of the Holy Spirit, who speaks the same thing, and leads in the same direction, giving grace to deal with and heal differences of opinion and divisions. When people truly become one in the Holy Spirit, they will experience love and communion. There may be differences of opinions on how things should be done, but when they come together in the spirit of humility and reconciliation, those differences do not separate them. Instead, they may find they appreciate the different views as they are part of the diversity of gifts. There are many references in the New Testament that directly and indirectly tell us this truth—here are a few. 1 Corinthians 12,  2 Corinthians 5:16-20, Colossians 3, Ephesians 4-5  

While some may focus on preaching the gospel and getting people to accept Christ, the church of God focuses on practicing the true doctrine of the Word, so she can present the pure whole gospel to the world. She teaches and practices a changed, holy, godly life, separate from the world and possessing a Christ-like spirit.

One is not baptized into the church of God only by personal testimony, but as the change it brings to the individual’s life as it witnesses to the members of the body of Christ. They are not looking for an emotional experience, but the true witness of the power of the Holy Spirit in the individual’s heart.  Upon that proving, born-again believers are baptized into the church of God.

The church of God accepts all races and ethnicities with no regard to rich or poor, king or beggar—all are one in Christ. She teaches and nourishes the young born-again believers, while exercising spiritual care for each other. While some may resist that much accountability and authority, it is the teaching of the New Testament church. When hearts are united in true love for the Lord, and in full surrender to His will, they will be one in spirit. When the Holy Spirit dwells in the heart, it unites people in one love and fellowship—they have the same Father and are part of the family of God.

Is everything perfect? No, the church of God is still a collection of imperfect humans. But that imperfection does not limit God. His grace is available to cover mistakes, hurts and offenses. He honors and respects the decisions His bride makes. He bears long with her, even when she is displeasing to Him. Take note of the letters to the churches in Revelations 2-3. Some of them had allowed sin in their members which needed to be taken care of, while others had left their first love. Instead of immediately cutting them off, God warned them of their error, giving them time to deal with their sins and come back to Him.

Now that we have looked at the church from a biblical standpoint, let us compare it to an organization. In so doing, we will see that the church of God cannot just be a loose-fitting structure—there must be an order and chain of authority to be what she is. When she loses that vision and power, she will cease to be the true church of God.

Let us say you want to start a company that manufactures a product. One of your first steps would be to create a business plan and give it structure. This may include job supervisors, employees, bookkeepers, production managers, maintenance, salesmen and delivery people.

To make the company run smoothly and to keep a quality product, you would need to have some sort of control. You may set some standards of performance, as well as acceptable behavior. Some of this would be your responsibility, but mostly you would rely on those who you have put into leadership positions to carry them out. They would have authority to act on your behalf, implementing the guidelines and regulations you set forth for the good of your company. Screening and testing will be necessary to be sure everything meets your standard of quality. Patents and safeguards may be needed to keep other companies from trying to copy your product and steal your business. They may claim to have an identical product that is just as good or better than yours. However, no matter what they claimed, it would not have your seal of authenticity, it is not your product.

Your ultimate goal would be a successful business, full of happy people, enjoying a safe working environment. This would not be possible without the structure you have put in place. Within reason, structure creates order, and order makes for happy people—the same as a disciplined child is a happy one. A lack of structure or discipline tends to make everyone unhappy. Structure gives directive where everyone knows what is expected of them, this brings peace and happiness.

We may try to argue that the church has no right to judge our lives, but even a business has its order of authority. It is impossible to have any entity or church and expect it to operate without some sort of structure. Any entity will take organization and submission to those in authority. In the church, this includes the ministry, but it is her members which make up the body, who hold the greatest authority. Individual members are accountable to each other, and congregations are accountable to the greater body, the church. The church is the bride of Christ and submits to Him as her head. He in turn is subject to His Father. In this way we can see the operation of the church of God from an organization point of view.  The church is not her own but God’s.

If we think we do not need anyone to tell us how to live for God, we are only deceiving ourselves. Sure, we may get by for a while, but the very attitude of not needing anyone, is against the plan God has for our eternal safety. The pride of life that tells us that we are all sufficient—that says the way is not that narrow, or I cannot forgive, is from the root of our own selfish, unsurrendered will. These are humanistic thoughts that can be overcome by the grace and power of God. By following the path of independence, we will walk straight into the trap that Satan has lain for us.

No one can live perfectly enough for God, not to need the help and encouragement of another. The church is not just to keep its members from sinning, but to provide comfort and fellowship on the way to heaven.

There are many more scriptures and examples of accountability and the church of God, and why God would have a true visible church. Man is not her creator, but her steward. She is an institution of God—not of human origin. She is of heavenly design—filled with broken and imperfect humans, doing their best to follow the Holy Spirit. A place where sin is repented of and confessed—of God given accountability—a group of sinners saved by grace.

This writing is not intended to be a theological exposé. While my original inspiration was about accountability, it is not possible to fully explain it without saying to whom and why we are accountable. I now know this inspiration was for my own good and has strengthened my own conviction. Yet I fear my feeble words have not presented God’s church in its truest form.

I do not want to leave the reader with the impression the church of God is a place of strict legalism, ready to strike out sin in a moment’s notice. No indeed, while some situations may lend to that impression, in her true form, she is to be a reflection of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ himself, with her members living out, and exercising all the spiritual graces of the fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26 

Words are insufficient to describe the church of God or the moving of the Spirit of God within her. Only when one is a part of her, can they see and understand the care, security, and love God has for His people, and how He honors His bride.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2:2-4

This writing is not a full theological discourse on the topic. Some may think I am narrow-minded and judgmental, but I do not apologize for the truth of the gospel. I simply ask, before you dismiss or judge what is upon these pages, you honestly surrender your heart to God—lay aside all prejudices and distractions and let the truth of the scripture speak to you. There may be Bible references that support your own concepts and beliefs but let them melt into the Bible as a whole, weighing them against other scriptures as well as the nature of God himself, and they may shine with a different light.

It is not uncommon for theologians to attach greater priority to some scriptures and disregard others as not applicable for the day. This is dangerous ground, for many innocent souls have been misguided and accepted a watered-down gospel—not understanding the grace and power of God which will give them power over self and sin. They may feel they have accepted Christ, becoming His child, yet not ever having repented of their sins and been born again—they are not saved. At times theological views, discussions, and church attendance are accepted as living a Christian life, yet there is little evidence or witness of a daily walk with God.

We should be careful that we do not accept our own thoughts as the voice of the Holy Spirit but let Him say what He will. It is possible to focus so much on the love of Christ, that we cannot hear the voice of God’s judgment and direction.

Many people get carried away with emotional praise worship and neglect the spiritual submission it takes to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Emotionalism is a great danger, for it makes one feel like they are truly worshipping God, it is appealing to the flesh but has little to no accountability. Although our emotions are stirred in a genuine experience with God, it is a result of a heart change. On the other hand, emotionalism will not be enough to make it to heaven. Emotionalism is not a true change of heart—it lacks the surrender of the will to give power over sin. It is a counterfeit gospel.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but He that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if His ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

In closing, it is my hearts desire that you would simply allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart, as you meditate on the scripture and character of God. And may you be filled with all the love, power, and fullness of Him who hath called us to His divine purpose.

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 2 Timothy 1:9

Jeff Goertzen 12/11/2025