Holding ourselves accountable for . . .

. . . a fresh look at our enemies?

Photo by Jason Rosewell on Unsplash

In a chaotic, angry world, a major key to the Christian experience is surrounding ourselves with others who walk the journey with us, supporting and encouraging us along the way. We do the same, because obviously, this Christian thing is difficult enough without having to do it alone.

But these relationships aren’t built solely for encouragement or to have someone to help—or to help us—when things are tough. Fact is, at times we need to challenge each other, too. Especially in wacky times like these.

Which means, we must hold each other accountable. But, as the title above implies, “For what?”

Among guys, when we consider accountability, our first tendency (maybe it’s just me), is to think about things like reading our Bibles regularly, or staying away from the bad stuff on our computers. Good things to watch out for, for sure.

Because if we decide reading scripture is optional, or that we can scroll into danger zones online, we lose our edge. We get lazy. And before we know it, we can be in a mess.

A greater accountability

But accountability should be about more than what we don’t do on our computers, about even more than good reading habits. Which takes me back to Jesus and two great commands: To love God with all we have, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Are we accountable for these with each other? Yes, reading our Bible is about loving God—it is a practice which says, “Knowing You is a top priority.” Yep. Good stuff. And refraining from stepping into bad places—online or anywhere else—is the same.

Yet, what about loving our neighbor? Even the neighbor we don’t like? Isn’t this a biggie we should focus on in our our accountability settings, too?

Along with this, Jesus said something about loving our enemies and praying for them. So what if we asked, “How many of us prayed for an enemy—maybe someone on the other side of the political aisle—in the last week? As in, really prayed?”

Dang. As I sat down to write this column, my answer to that second question was not exactly a good one.

But there’s something else. I’ve seen videos where those I strongly disagree with said something (I believe is) stupid, and saw a few law breakers in public settings get nabbed and embarrassed. You know what I did? I smiled. Was happy they got theirs.

This doesn’t mean those who break the law should go unpunished. Or that we cannot have strident debates on key issues. But . . . do I pray for them? Or do I simply wish to defeat them?

Perhaps it would be better if I stopped writing this column and started living this column.

Just a thought . . .

Which leads to a crazy question: “What if, every time I read an article, saw a video, or engaged with someone I disagreed with, my first response—every time—was to pray for . . . them?” Not to pray for the snappiest response, or for their defeat. But to just pray for them?

Quite honestly, this idea sounds weak to me. Mushy. Hippie Dippy Christianity, if that’s a phrase.

But as much as I don’t want to admit it, it’s the right thing to do.

Yes, Jesus overturned tables. Yes, Jesus called religious leaders snakes and all that. Totally agree. But Jesus’ last prayer was that God would forgive those who took his life.

Praying for our enemies does not mean stepping away from all conflict or playing nice in every situation. But it does mean that if there is to be conflict, starting with prayer gives us the right lens to see the conflict with clarity.

So, maybe, when I think of “accountability,” my first thought should be those on the other side of the conflicts I see. In short, my “enemies.”

There’s a lot of anger in this world today. And because we’re all surrounded by chaotic conflict, praying for our enemies seems like the last thing to do. But darn it, it’s the first.