Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- June 1, 2012
“Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9
There is a relational accountability that comes with becoming a follower of Christ; indeed no lone soldiers are in the Lord’s army. Without regular feedback from others, individual Christians are fair game for the enemy’s fiery darts of doubt. Bad habits incubate in a life disengaged from intimate input from a caring community. A life without accountability drifts into irrelevance, but someone fresh from correction grows in emotional intelligence.
Most of us do not enjoy the uncomfortable feeling that accompanies the most loving confrontation. However, we know in our hearts that we need the unfiltered observation of those who care deeply about us. Even if unintended harshness hits our heart we can let go of it by grace and hang on to healthy instruction by faith. Messengers sent by the Lord are His mouthpiece of protection and wisdom. We get better by digesting doses of truth.
“As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1
We all need brothers and/or sisters who are our keepers of character growth in Christ. Many times the Spirit of God uses human vessels to channel His truth for our change. Often a spouse is our most effective heavenly sand paper, because they know us so well. We are wise to embrace their suggestions and their direct concerns, as that is what’s best for us and for our marriage. At work ask supervisors, superiors and peers: “What’s it like to work with me?” Wisdom asks for affirmation, correction and instruction.
Lastly, are you vulnerable with confidants who hold you accountable? Do you have loving friends to ask you how you are really doing, and how you really feel? We grow wiser when others are objectively auditing our actions. Life isolated on a relational island implodes for lack of intimacy. God made you to engage in community; to give and to receive correction and support. Confront others in love and invite trusted advisors to do the same.
“I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14
Prayer: Heavenly Father, surround me with Your servants who ask me hard questions.
Related Readings: Romans 12:10, 16; 14:1-13; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:5; Colossians 3:13-16
Post/Tweet this today: Life isolated on a relational island implodes for lack of intimacy. #relationships #accountability
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“There is a relational accountability that comes with becoming a follower of Christ; indeed no lone soldiers are in the Lord’s army.”
Then I am in big trouble. And I have deep issues. I feel that my community does not want me. I was never really accepted or included from the beginning. I was “isolated” a long time ago. Recently, I learned that I am now welcomed, but my family is rejected and unwelcomed.
Yes, I need correction. Yes, I need a close circle of friends. I am was never sincerely accepted, just tolerated. I never asked to be “a lone soldier”. A particular person did not like me. He was the leader of others not liking. In other words, they had fears of being rejected and an outcasts, I guess. They also had their person reasons for not wanting to “deal” with me. However, I have suffered many years not understanding why my community rejected me: education (attitude, independency that came along with it, jealousies, I probably didn’t know how to relate to people, etc. I don’t know.).
But I am not going to beat myself up about it. All I know now is that inspite of the rejection, the hatred, the aloneness, being excluded and uninvited (they always invited him, but not me/appearance of holier than thou attitude) misunderstandings, persecutions, dislikes toward me, I am beginning to talk to people and enjoy them inspite of the attacks that I have and am encountered from people.
I never wanted to be isolated, a lone soldier, and/or rejected. Therefore, I plead the blood of Jesus and Psalm 91. I welcome accountability, but the hatred appears so thick sometimes. I am a little tougher now so I try to pull someone aside and ask an accountability question. I just don’t want to get on anyone’s nerves or feed the gossip column in the worldly news.
I admit, I need help. No doubt about that. I need godly help.