Let's get real...

Colossians 3 1-2 (MSG) So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Have you accepted Christ as your Savior but found yourself falling back into some of your old patterns? Perhaps you are faithful in going to church every Sunday, but not so faithful when it comes to acting like you even know Jesus the rest of the week. Living the Christian life is not easy, that’s why God has blessed us with “spiritual brothers and sisters” to help us along in our journey. Being in community with other believers is essential to growth as Christians.

I attend a cell based church. We meet on Sunday mornings for a regular church service and then once during the week in smaller settings in group members’ homes. These groups are typically 12 to 15 adults. It’s in the smaller group setting that I’ve been personally challenged to work on the areas of my life that were not of Christ. The relationships I’ve found through these groups are the most genuine friendships I’ve ever had in my life. I can tell these people anything without fear of it being “front page news” the next day. I can be honest and real. It’s in those real moments that my life has changed, and my faith in Christ has grown.

As I read through Colossians, I can't help but think about the impact these groups have made on my life and the lives of countless others. I gave my life to Christ one Sunday morning and I needed Him to change my life so desperately. I didn’t exactly know what that meant at the time… but I knew I needed Him to help me. I didn’t have Christian friends surrounding me at the time so Satan was able to easily take advantage of that. He (Satan) took my focus off Christ and swayed me back to the very lifestyle that was dragging me deeper and deeper into a pit of depression and darkness.

This “see-saw” type life between the world and those things of Christ went on for months until finally I had enough. I needed Christian community. I needed to be around a body of believers who had walked down the road I was walking and could relate to the struggles I faced. I joined a group and the rest is pretty much history, that first group helped me “get serious about living my new resurrected life.”

What about you? Do you have a group of people in your life that will hold you accountable and pray with you?

I challenge you today to find Christian brothers and sisters that you can walk your Christian life with.

Accountability...no one likes it but everyone needs it

The senior pastor of my church has challenged our entire congregation to join him in reading through the Bible in 2014. On day 5, I was in Genesis reading about Noah, his obedience, and how God blessed him and his family because of it. One thing that really jumped out at me in the reading that day was Genesis 9:5.

“And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.” [emphasis mine]

This verse clearly tells us that God will hold the human race accountable. Not just for murder, as referenced in this verse, but for everything we do.

Accountability; no one likes it but everyone will stand before God one day and give an account for their every action, thought, deed, and word. How do I know this? Paul tells us in the book of Romans:

Romans 14:10-12 (NIV) You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. [emphasis mine]

It is important that we know our heart is right toward God. Is there anything you are hiding from God? Any motive? Any hidden sin? Any unforgiveness? Reveal it all to Him. He knows everything about you anyway. According to Hebrews 4:13, there is nothing we can hide from him.

Hebrews 4:13 (NCV) Nothing in all the world can be hidden from God. Everything is clear and lies open before him, and to him we must explain the way we have lived. [emphasis mine]

I challenge you today to turn the search light on yourself. If there is anything you are holding back, bring it out of the shadows and into His light. He will help you deal with whatever it is if you take the first step in exposing it.

Related verses:

Psalm 10:13, Romans 3:19, Isaiah 45:23

The truth can be painful

Proverbs 27:6 (GW) Wounds made by a friend are intended to help, but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear.

Accountability is a good thing…but do you really like to be held accountable? I know…tough question. To be honest, I’m not overly-enthusiastic when someone points out an area of weakness in my life. When someone speaks into my life, I have to consider the source of the information. Is it someone I truly trust and has my best interest at heart, or is it someone just pointing an accusing finger? I have to admit it’s an easier pill for me to swallow when I trust the person bringing me the unpleasant advice.

There are very few people I trust to speak into my life. Even if what they have to say hurts, these people love me and only want the truth brought to light so I can work through the area of weakness.

A biblical example of this type of accountability can be found in the 12^th chapter of the book 2 Samuel. It’s about a year after David committed adultery with Bathsheba which produced a pregnancy. In chapter 11, David plots to cover up his sin by sending Uriah (Bathsheba’s husband) to the front lines of battle knowing he’d be killed (2 Samuel 11).  As this chain of events unfolds, each decision David made plunged him deeper and deeper into a pit sin and grew more callous with every action.

Nathan, a prophet during this time, was sent by God to point out David’s sin. Nathan and David were friends long before he committed adultery with Bathsheba. As God’s spokesman, Nathan confronted David and helped him see his own wrongdoing and then comforts him with the reality of God’s forgiveness. Nathan also had to remind David of the consequences his sin would bring. That couldn’t have been an easy conversation.

Truth is painful and when delivered by a trusted friend you can be assured it’s for your good…and growth.