Saturday, December 31, 2016

Accountability

Every once in a while in a Christian's life, you are going to need somebody to walk right up in your face and point their finger.
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:7-9

"He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." 2 Corinthians 9:6
Sow what you want to reap.
Grow what you want to keep.

We all miss the mark from time to time. None of us is perfect. If we are truly Christians, we need to speak into other believers' lives, as well as receive when other believers speak into our lives. Instead of trying to justify ourselves, we need to listen, thank them, and examine ourselves honestly. If I am doing something sinful, I would hope that a brother or sister in the faith would call me on it and keep me accountable. If we refuse accountability, perhaps we should question whether we are Christian to begin with. When we examine everything Jesus and the Apostle Paul said, there is no room for debate on this. We are not islands unto ourselves. Everything each one of us does affects the others some how, some way. It is the ripple effect. You cannot escape it.
"Sow a thought, reap an act; so an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny." —Warren Wiersbe
If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, what kind of Christian do you want to be? Do you want to be the kind of "Christian" that Jesus spits out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16)? Or do you want to be the kind of Christian who will hear Jesus speak the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25:21, 23)? Remember that actions speak louder than words. You may talk a good game, but what do others see in your walk? What you truly and honestly believe will be seen in the way you conduct yourself throughout your daily life and activities. If you know you are a fraud and a hypocrite, then repent and beg God for His forgiveness, and start living the way the Bible teaches and Jesus would want. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15).