Created for Relationship

We all know independent people. Shae is one of those people. When it comes to changing the oil in the truck, she can do it. When something needs to be done, give her enough time and its accomplished. You've been warned not to challenge her with, "That can't be done!" She will prove you wrong. She will either do it or find someone who will. I have to admit, when I try to do some of those things, I screw it up worse than it was. Eventually, it's time to find someone else to fix the problem.

For the most part, independence is a good thing. But more importantly, we need those we can count on to encourage us to live to our highest potential. We get to the point where we can't accomplish tasks on our own. Even the most independent people eventually need other resources. I need you and you need me.

Fact is: Mankind was created for community. Consider the examples of the Trinity, Adam and Eve, God and the Israelites, Jesus and the Church, marriage, the nuclear family, and _____________(add your own example here).

Americana has led us to believe "To accept, or worse yet, to request help signifies a weakness." How wrong we are when we buy into this idea. Christian pollster George Barna found 1 out of 6 believers has no accountability relationship with another believer.

It's just another way we've allowed society to infiltrate the Church.

More "Fodder"

Here's something to chew on:

I was recently asked by a close friend, "What's holding you back?" It was, of course, in the context of becoming more like Christ? After thinking about it for a few days and being brutally honest with myself and God, I'll leave it with you.

What's holding you back?

Accountability

This is an area of life where we aren't comfortable. Check out the "Secrets" post at www.KnowtheBlessing.com

Accountability is returning to the way things are supposed to be - transparency, honesty, integrity. That's why it makes fallen man uncomfortable. We really are used to hiding parts of our lives from others.

I ran across the following accountability questions. Are you willing to be this honest?

1. Have you spent time in God's word and in prayer at least 5 times this week?
2. Have you shown your spouse the affection that God asks since last time we met?
3. Have you spent quality time with your children?
4. Have you lost your temper since the last time we met?
5. Have you found yourself lusting after anyone since we last met?
6. Have you looked at porn?
7. Have you honored God with your finances (what you've kept, what you've spent)?
8. Have you eaten healthy? exercised?
9. Have you misrepresented any of your answers?
10. What areas do you need prayer?

Again, are you willing to be this honest? Am I?

John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Becoming Like Jesus

I was asked last week, "Why should I confess my sins to someone else? I've already confessed to God. That's all that matters." We discussed the practicality of James when he writes of the "Prayer of Faith" in chapter 5.

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:13-16)

James is writing of two different kinds of "sick" - one of physical ailments, the other, being spiritual. It was common among Jews in the ANE to believe all sickness was caused by sin. For this reason, James encourages readers to "come clean" and confess everything that is hindering spiritual growth.

Many Christians like to talk about accountability but the practice of confessing sins is much less popular. Case in point: the conversation last week was between myself and a person who has believed for decades. "I've confessed to God. That's all I need to do."

What's our issues with true accountability? More on this later...