Showing Love Through Accountability

‘”. . . and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well,”‘ John 5: 10-15.

Jesus’ Words in verse 14, “…Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you…” is often taken out of context inferring that Jesus required sinless perfection from the man. The entirety of Scripture refutes this, as only Jesus was sinless. The proper context is Jesus gave the man accountability and expectations. ACCOUNTABILITY IS GOOD! Establishing and deploying loving boundaries is a vital essence of loving well.

It’s NOT ungodly to have expectations of people! However, in many charitable circles today this is an unpopular popular view because modern day charity has been conditioned to include entitlement. It’s NOT unloving to expect people to do their part. In fact, it’s just the opposite! It’s cruel to send the message that a person has nothing of worth to offer.

Being needed is the ultimate affirmation of human worth. Establishing dignity is powerful. Expectation implicitly communicates worth and trust.