Loving
One Another – Accountability
By
Suzie M.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love
and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24
Do you have someone who can hold you
accountable? Do you have another you can
hold accountable? Everyone needs someone
in their life to help keep them accountable.
Romans 14:12 NIV says, “So
then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” An account - you will be held accountable to
God for everything you have said and done while on this earth. What is accountability? According to the dictionary, it means being
“liable to being called to account, answerable.” How will you answer God when he asks you?
Why do we need to be held
accountable? 1 John 4:21 NIV commands us, “Whoever loves God must also love his
brother.” Do you love God? Then you must love your brother, or sister,
in Christ. You cannot love God and
dislike another person created in His image.
Loving another person means helping them by holding them accountable to
their speech and actions. This must be done in a respectful and loving way
without judgment for we are told, “Do not judge, or you too will be
judged. For in the same way you judge
others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured
to you.” Matthew 7:1-2 NIV.
How much do you tell your
accountability partner? Everything. This person needs to know everything about
you the good, the bad and the ugly.
Females need to have a female accountability partner. Males need a male accountability
partner. This relationship will take time. You don’t have to spill your guts out the
first time you meet. Key elements
are: 1. Build a relationship. Get to know one another if you don’t already,
build the rapport. If it’s someone you
are already friends with then they probably already know a lot about you. 2. Trust
is an essential element. This must
be someone you trust and who trusts you.
She will be the person you go to when you don’t have anyone else to
speak with when your marriage is falling apart.
When you can’t take your thoughts captive and keep thinking of another
man. When your children are lost and
when a loved one is diagnosed with a deadly disease. “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Proverbs 11:13 NIV
What advice will you receive or
give? Godly biblical advice. If you are receiving any other advice, you
need to walk away. Advice should also be
gentle and loving and covered in prayer.
Galatians 6: 1-2 gives a
helpful principle, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you
who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also
may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill
the law of Christ." If your accountability friend has done
something contrary to the Bible, you are called to confront her gently, forgive
her, and comfort her. It also admonishes you to consider yourself because no one
is above temptation.
Who should be your accountability
partner? Pray over this. It is not always easy finding the right
accountability partner, but the Lord wants you to have one so give it over and
He will lead you in the right direction.
You might be like me and she might already be in your life. She doesn’t have to be older or more
spiritually mature. God can use anyone
to reveal His truth. She may be the
least likely person or the most likely. “Encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
Challenge: Pray
and seek God about an accountability partner.
Someone with whom you can be authentic, sharing God’s truth and
love. Make it a priority to ask them and
then to meet with them. Don’t put it off
any longer. Write it on your to do list
today!
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