Accountability

Hey everyone, today I'm going to talk to you about what I believe is one of the most important (and most over looked) aspects of every believer's walk- accountability. I can just hear the sighs and "ugh's" now- but stay with me. It is an extremely important topic, and a vital part to staying connected with God. Webster's defines accountability as "an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions." So why do we need accountability? How will it help us? Let's look at what God's Word says about that...

1. Importance of Accountability

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up." (Ecc. 4:9-10) Everyone needs a support system- as it was explained to me, someone to hold my "feet to the fire." There are two main reasons for this. The first is because if there is no accountability, we don't have to answer to anyone. Yes, we know God is always present- but don't we have a habit as humans to pretend we're behind closed doors- keeping our sin hidden? It is MUCH harder to have to answer to someone face to face consistently than it is to hide in shame. Ever heard of the "definition of integrity"? It's "Doing the right things when no one else is looking." Ouch. The second reason we need to be held accountable is because as the above verse says- if we fall, we need someone there to catch us. Because chances are, once we fall- it could lead to falling further and further. Before we know it, Satan has us completely bound in our sin. However, if we have an accountability partner, this self destructive pattern could be stopped. Listen to what James says: "My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)

2. Issues of Accountability

"But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today', so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13) Let's face it- we ALL have something that needs to be brought into the light. For some, it may be a dark and ugly sin that we do not want exposed. For others, it may be something that we over look on an every day basis, but it is slowly chipping away at our hearts. Now in reference to the latter, I am speaking of topics such as anger, bitterness, gossip, and slander. These may be something we say, "Well, I'm not addicted to anything, and I'm not hurting anyone." Wrong. The truth is, our words can be far more devastating than our actions, and by the way- as a child of God, we are called to pure holiness. (See my previous blog "On the Fence") As far as the dark and ugly goes- just remember, once you except Jesus into your life, you are free once and for all. There may still be strongholds over your life, but they can be broken. God loves you no matter what, but it is His desire to see every single one of His children flourish. And- as we all know, darkness can NOT survive once it's exposed to the light! It may be painful at first, but I promise if you stick with it- Jesus will free you from the bondage and strongholds!

3. Increasing of Accountability

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed." (James 5:16) So where do we go from here? My first suggestion would be to pray and fast- asking God what sins need to be brought to the surface. The second would to be for Him to place someone in your life as an accountability partner. This should be someone with whom you can have regular contact (men with men; women with women- no exceptions), and can ask/tell them absolutely anything. You are giving them the green light to ask the tough questions, but all in the Name of Jesus- to help each other increase your walks. Try to get together on a regular basis- once a week is great. If for some reason you can't get together in person that week, do it over the phone or through email. Once again, it may be hard at first, but stick with it. You are a sitting duck if Satan can get you alone, but if "two or more" have gathered in Jesus' Name- Satan will be crushed! (Matt 18:18-20)

In His Name,

Matt

On the Fence

"If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth" (1John 1:6)

I'm in the middle of reading the book "Extraordinary- The Life You're Meant to Live" by John Bevere right now. So far, I have found it to be one of the most moving, motivational, and convicting books I have read in a long time. A good portion of the book Bevere refers to the power we have inside of us once we come to Christ- a power that completely smashes every bondage and stronghold Satan has over us. However, many of us Christians continue to practice our old ways- even once we've been set free. The bottom line is, once Jesus sets us free, we no longer have any excuses to continue to live in sin.

"The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." (1John 2:6) As Christians and as fathers, we need to learn how to tap into that power and walk the way we were created to do so. God created us for His pleasure and His enjoyment- not to take advantage of His grace and Jesus' death on the cross. God is holy, and through our salvation- so are we. (1Peter 1:14-16) We need to decide if we are going to do the bare minimum in our walk, and therefore, receive the bare minimum rewards once we reach Heaven; or are we going to dive in feet first- Christ as our Leader and take on anything and all that this world dishes out to us? I believe in the latter, you know why? Because if any of you guys who are single fathers (and anyone else for that matter) are reading this- you have already been through a tremendous amount of struggle. I for one am a fighter- God saved me not only from physical death, but from eternal hell as well- and I choose to live my life for His glory!
"For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God with your body." (1Cor. 6:20)

Don't straddle the fence anymore. Stop doing the bare minimum, or making excuses. I know the fight is tough- and the enemy loves to toy with our minds. But guess what?!? That's all he has- just tricks. Once you are a child of God through Jesus Christ, sin is no longer your master. Stand up and fight back, put on the full armor of God. When you choose to follow God with everything you have (Matthew 22:37), He will unlock greater blessings than we could have ever known! We are holy. We are righteous. "...however, let us keep living by the same standard to which we have attained." (Phil. 3:16) I pray that we all continue to seek our Lord constantly and achieve our FULL potential in Christ. We all have a God- given ministry deep inside of us, let's unlock it and help expand God's Kingdom here on earth. (John 15:16)

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed!" (John 8:36)