Quote from Forum Archives on April 18, 2001, 11:41 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

What follows is a good article about accountability. I have
found these principles very helpful in my life. I also have a
high regard for the writing and principles shared by Chuck
Swindoll. Many of you may have heard of him, his books, Dallas
Theological Seminary, and his radio program. I simply think this
information is relevant to many of us. It certainly is relevant
and appropriate for my own life. I pray that you find this
useful as well.

Speaking of accountability and of prayer, I would like to remind
all of you, wherever you happen to be, that the National Day of
Prayer is the first Thursday in May. This year, that happens to
be on May 3. I think every day is an appropriate day for prayer,
but I do think that it is good that as a nation, we recognize
that all good things come from our Creator and Sustainer, to seek
His guidance and blessing for everything, and ask for direction
for our great land. I don't know about you, but every day, my
desire is to not only remember God, but to invite Him to be an
active part of my life.

My confession to you is that I do acknowledge the Lord every day,
but there are some days when I get so caught up in whatever I am
doing that I don't always give God the first place that He
deserves. Whenever I realize that this has happened, I stop and
repent. My prayer, not only for myself, but for each one of us,
is that we personally recognize our need of God, turn away from
our own, often selfish ways, and return to our Source of all
things. Do you agree with me in this prayer? Let's find an
intersection between faith and life right now by seeking God
first. A message about this topic follows.

Brother Brian

The Intersection of Faith and Life
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The Necessity of Accountability

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To be accountable to a boss not only is acceptable, it's
essential. But we resist the idea of mixing something as exacting
as accountability with something as loving and encouraging as our
spiritual lives. Why not be accountable to someone who loves you
and wants what is best for you? What's so wrong with friendship
accountability, especially if it has what it takes to improve and
enhance your walk with God?

Regarding accountability:

Being accountable includes being willing to explain your actions,
being open, and non-defensive about your motives. It's answering
for your life and supplying the reasons why. When it's a factor
of friendship it becomes deep and meaningful.

The church is an accountability relationship. And do not neglect
doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over
your souls, and those who will give an account (Heb. 13:16-17).
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it, if one
member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are
Christ's body, and individually members of it ( 1 Cor. 12:26-27).

>From Dropping Your Guard, by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright (c)
1982, 1998 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of
Word Publishing, Nashville, Tenn., 1-800-933-9673. All rights
reserved.

Vertical accountability is guaranteed. Paul says that each one of
us shall give account of himself to Go (Rom. 14:12). God doesn't
toss His people into a heap and expect them to somehow wind up in
glory. He cares about His own. He, in fact, holds us accountable
for the way we live. There will be vertical accountability and it
will be the basis of your heavenly rewards (2 Cor. 5:10).

Horizontal accountability is required. We are not islands of
independence, living lives free of one another. We are made to
relate and to answer to one another. When fellow members fall
into a slump and begin to walk in a carnal manner, operating
their lives from the realm of the flesh instead of the Spirit, it
is our responsibility to help restore them to Christ (Gal.
5:25-26; 6:1-2).

Four ways to implement accountability:

Consider the value of becoming accountable. Can you say:

Like everyone else, I have blind spots. By being accountable, I
will gain insight I don't have in myself.

Because I lack sufficient strength and wisdom to cope with
pressure, temptation, and pride on my own, I need others near me.

The kind of world I live in has too many booby traps and subtle
snares for me to handle on my own (especially when I travel or
when I'm alone). I need additional strength.

Ask yourself two questions:

Why do I remain isolated and unaccountable?

What if I stay in this condition?

Choose at least one other person (preferably two or three) with
whom you will meet regularly. They need to be carefully chosen
for their confidentiality, honesty, authenticity, and
objectivity. They must be godly, available, and loyal.

Develop a relationship that strengthens your grip on spiritual
things. You don't need a business consultant, financial
counselor, or professional therapist. You need someone who will
encourage you in God (1 Sam. 23:16).

Charles Swindoll is president of Dallas Theological Seminary and
host of the internationally syndicated radio program, Insight for
Living. He has authored more than 25 best-selling books,
including The Grace Awakening, Laugh Again, and Joseph. Charles
and his wife, Cynthia, reside in Dallas, Texas.

Originally appeared in Live It on Crosswalk.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/
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