The Proper Ratio for Maturing in Christ

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I’ve recently had several conversations with people about Christian accountability and the ways different types of people respond to dealing with their brothers and sisters in Christ when presenting them with something they need to change.

What struck me this time while thinking through this, is that the way we go about “holding people accountable” is often done without first considering the person’s current condition, particularly in relation to their and our relationship and how they may or may not receive our words. 

What if we considered and imparted accountability toward our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ not in the context of simply expressing to them what we see needs to change in their lives but rather in the context of how we can best speak health and growth into their lives.

As an illustration: What if we saw accountability like adding wood to the fire of Christianity in someone’s soul?

Now, by no means is fire a perfect example, but let me explain the elements of why the illustration of fire struck me. Hopefully you will then see what about this illustration challenged me to slow down, evaluate better, and ask what kind of ratio I’m bringing to my dealings with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

Fire Needs Several Elements to Burn:

• Heat—their pursuit of the Christian life alongside their fellow believers
• Fuel—accountability
• Oxygen—encouragement
• The Chemical Reaction—their relationship with the Holy Spirit

When it comes to a fire, there has to be a good ratio kept in regard to the fuel, the heat, and the oxygen. For instance when fuel (let’s say wood) is added at the wrong ratio and there is too much fuel, which gives the fire what it needs to stay alive, it can actually be what snuffs the fire out. Because fuel requires a certain amount of heat and oxygen in order to ignite and burn well. Too much fuel at the wrong time and in the wrong amount can smother a fire that isn’t ready to receive it. If you’ve ever added logs to a small fire and watched it’s flame die out, you know what I’m talking about.

Just like with a fire, we should be paying attention to whether or not someone has a proper ratio of all the elements they need to sustain their maturing in Christ. Then we ought to interact in such a way that either maintains the right ratio or else brings the right ratio of those elements, so that when we add fuel to someone’s life it help them and does not hinder them.

Conclusion: To burn well, a fire (a Christian ignited by the Holy Spirit) needs enough heat (good relationship) and oxygen (encouragement) to engage with the fuel (accountability) in their life successfully. 

In a similar way, when there is too much oxygen in the ratio, a fire can end up consuming everything in its path and therefore unable to sustain a long-term burn. Even though oxygen is what keeps a fire alive, in the wrong amount oxygen causes the fire to burn fast and furious, consuming all the fuel it had and leaving only embers in it’s wake. With nothing left to support and strengthen its burn, it lacks a healthy existence. If you’ve ever worked with or witnessed the combination of a really dry fuel and an accelerant on a windy day, you’ve probably watched this kind of fire. It appear to have incredible growth but that growth quickly passes, leaving behind only scorched earth and no long-term flame.

We won’t want to be either version of this when we’re dealing with accountability and encouragement. It’s important therefore that we start asking questions like: 

Am I bringing accountability to this person in a way that will smother their fire or in a way that will bring their fire life?

Am I bringing encouragement to this person in a way that helps them be a quick burn or in a way that helps them be a sustained burn?

Challenge:  “…though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1Corinthians 13:2