Guys, the rubber is still hitting the road!
Just posting some additional thoughts to the last post on “Practical Biblical Thoughts”.
Practical Biblical Thoughts (repeated from last post):
1. Constant renewal and devotion to Jesus Christ; Daily, often, praying for all things at all times, for all saints.
2. SIN! Be aware of sin lurking at every corner; not to make it your focus, but being prepared, such as wearing the armor instead of carrying it around in a bag or marveling about how wonderful it looks hanging on your wall!
3. Take sin seriously. This is like the last one, but a bit different in that our flesh makes it easy for us to lower our standards and excuse some sin as harmless or “insignificant”, or “minor”, but the Biblical truth is, that the very smallest of sins KILLS! For that reason, it might take that item above - renewal - to get us back on track where the Lord wants us to be.
4. Take a chance; open yourself up to another guy and offer to him that you’re looking for an accountability partner; I won’t lie to you-it will be awkward (at first). But when you get to know each other and then you begin to challenge each other to get closer to Christ, the blessings will blow your mind!
Additional Questions:
Do I have expectations of a brother that I don’t want put upon myself?
Have I ever had (or do I currently have) expectations of others to meet my needs before I’ve been willing to reach out for them?
What does accountability to me?
Is it:
Me confessing my faults; allowing someone else to look deep inside my heart, to scrutinize me, without expectation of “getting to do the same to them?”
Or is it:
Just an opportunity to hear the dirt on somebody else; perhaps it makes me feel better about myself, in that, “I’m not as bad as this guy. . . At least I didn’t do that!”.
Take a lesson from the the Pharasee and the man who knew he was wretched:
Luke 18:9-14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
How serious are we about sin?
- How much do I truly want to eradicate it from my life?
- - And from the life of my brothers?
- Or do I want to hold on to a little bit?
- Are there certain things in my life that I think are harmless, but are really serving to separate me from my Lord?
- - Or from of my brothers?
In the context of fellowship, is it sinful to ignore or forsake becoming accountable or answerable to other brothers in Christ?
Not that we should hand over total control to another brother (that's not accountability).
- But what about simply allowing a brother the opportunity to speak into my life?
There is a lot to be said about accountability and I think it's linked to discipleship and maturity in our growing in and with Jesus Christ! And there's nothing better.
Just posting some additional thoughts to the last post on “Practical Biblical Thoughts”.
Practical Biblical Thoughts (repeated from last post):
1. Constant renewal and devotion to Jesus Christ; Daily, often, praying for all things at all times, for all saints.
2. SIN! Be aware of sin lurking at every corner; not to make it your focus, but being prepared, such as wearing the armor instead of carrying it around in a bag or marveling about how wonderful it looks hanging on your wall!
3. Take sin seriously. This is like the last one, but a bit different in that our flesh makes it easy for us to lower our standards and excuse some sin as harmless or “insignificant”, or “minor”, but the Biblical truth is, that the very smallest of sins KILLS! For that reason, it might take that item above - renewal - to get us back on track where the Lord wants us to be.
4. Take a chance; open yourself up to another guy and offer to him that you’re looking for an accountability partner; I won’t lie to you-it will be awkward (at first). But when you get to know each other and then you begin to challenge each other to get closer to Christ, the blessings will blow your mind!
Additional Questions:
Do I have expectations of a brother that I don’t want put upon myself?
Have I ever had (or do I currently have) expectations of others to meet my needs before I’ve been willing to reach out for them?
What does accountability to me?
Is it:
Me confessing my faults; allowing someone else to look deep inside my heart, to scrutinize me, without expectation of “getting to do the same to them?”
Or is it:
Just an opportunity to hear the dirt on somebody else; perhaps it makes me feel better about myself, in that, “I’m not as bad as this guy. . . At least I didn’t do that!”.
Take a lesson from the the Pharasee and the man who knew he was wretched:
Luke 18:9-14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
How serious are we about sin?
- How much do I truly want to eradicate it from my life?
- - And from the life of my brothers?
- Or do I want to hold on to a little bit?
- Are there certain things in my life that I think are harmless, but are really serving to separate me from my Lord?
- - Or from of my brothers?
In the context of fellowship, is it sinful to ignore or forsake becoming accountable or answerable to other brothers in Christ?
Not that we should hand over total control to another brother (that's not accountability).
- But what about simply allowing a brother the opportunity to speak into my life?
There is a lot to be said about accountability and I think it's linked to discipleship and maturity in our growing in and with Jesus Christ! And there's nothing better.