“Accountability. A word leaders start to use right before the scapegoating begins”. | Author Unknown
There is a reason we hear so much about accountability in politics. It’s not because those we’ve sent to Washington, D.C. to serve us see a high value in holding themselves to the highest standards of morality and ethics. On the contrary, our representatives are frequently responsible for some of the most egregious examples of immorality and indecency in America’s history. However, when it comes to politics, one of the most effective ways for one politician to attack another, is to convince people that their opponent must be held accountable and that they are just the right person to do it.
When riots broke out across America, in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death—at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer—America’s cities burned. President Trump took immediate action, calling for cities to push back hard on rioters and vandalism. Joe Biden, who in good progressive fashion was not about to let a good crisis go to waste, took the opportunity to lecture President Trump on the Constitution and First Amendment.
Unfortunately, when the 2020 presidential election results came into question by those who couldn’t understand how one of the worst campaigns in recent history—run almost exclusively from a basement—turned into 81 million votes. This led to accusations of fraud, election interference, vote tampering and many other things. Ultimately, the “stop the steal” movement was created. The anger and animosity culminated into a “mostly peaceful protest” which eventually made it’s way to the Capitol; as Americans took their grievances directly to their elected representatives.
And what were President Biden’s thoughts on these protesters, most of who were simply living into their first amendment rights?
The problem with accountability is that unless there is an objective standard and an impartial authority all people submit to; people will always misuse this it to demand justice for their foes while ignoring or justifying their own egregious behavior.
Today, Mike and I discuss the biblical call to accountability, confession, and repentance and the ways it can be used within the church to help us encourage one another as we walk out our sanctification together.
Thanks again for joining us pilgrims. Enjoy the podcast and stay pugnacious.
