Living in accountable relationships with believers

2. Living in accountable relationships with believers:

PROVERBS 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

HEBREWS 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

GALATIANS 6:1-2

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

 

The benefit of Living In Accountable Relationships With Believers:

The freedom to examine, with others who love you, the progress you are making in growing in Christlikeness. It includes regular prayer support, observation, clarifying questions, feedback and encouraging words along the way.  Here is why accountability is important:

 

  • We can easily become self-deceived, thinking we can change a negative attitude or behavior that has become imbedded in our daily life.  
  • We may often be our own worst enemy, having blind spots and being extremely good at rationalizing our own beliefs and actions.
  • All of us regularly face life issues that are much easier to process with other godly people alongside us.  We can't do it alone, we weren't meant to.
  • True accountability is the result of conferring to others the authority or permission to speak into our lives.  It is never assumed. It must be granted.
  • Accountability develops patience and perseverance because challenges are seldom resolved overnight.
  • A wonderful by-product of Living In Accountable Relationships With Believers is peace of mind for our spouse.  

 

Begin by asking God to identify 2-3 like-minded believers of the same gender who could serve as your accountability partners. This may turn into a one-to-one relationships you want to guarantee the input of multiple friends.  Meet every two weeks and established clear goals and ground rules, which included transparency, no judgment and confidentiality.  Be firmly committed to the guiding principle that God, as revealed in Jesus Christ and proclaimed in Scripture, is our ultimate authority.  

 

These relationships will help you overcome challenges in the present and given you hope for the future. As a result of these efforts and God’s grace you will become a more effective ambassador for Christ and will find increasing opportunities to share with others what has happened to you on Christ.