Sin is a reality in every Christian’s life. John warns believers if we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. He goes on to say, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and His word is not in us (1 John 1:8,10). Now if we are honest, we have to admit that the battle against sin is daily and that at times the burden’s that we carry seem unbearable.
Why do we participate in Church Discipline?
Why do we require new members to meet and participate in a membership class?
Why do we regularly partake in the Lord’s Table?
Essentially, why do we participate in spiritual accountability?
Simply, Christ commands his followers to seek each other’s spiritual best through personal holiness. This is not a top-down only approach that just involves the pastors/elders but instead, this is a side-by-side approach in which every believer is fully invested in the spiritual betterment of each other. At Grace, we desire the purity of the church by the admonishment of personal holiness which begins on an individual level. Spiritual accountability encourages, exhorts, admonishes, and corrects.
Whether you crave spirituality accountability, or not…
Whether you see the need for it, or not…
Scripture commands us to actively participate in the spiritual lives of our churches as commanded in Galatians 6. Being fully enabled by the same Holy Spirit of Galatians 5, Paul turns his attention from the fruits of the Spirit in chapter five to the evidences of the Spirit. Practically, what does it look like to “walk by the Spirit” (5:16), to be “led by the Spirit” (5:18), and to “live by the Spirit” (5:25)? Paul argues that our life in the Spirit should lead us to live out our faith in biblical community. Ultimately, you and I are responsible for the spiritual health of others within our local church. Paul squarely puts the responsibility of spiritual betterment on the individuals found within Christ’s church. (Gal. 6)
Perhaps you have never taken steps toward spiritual accountability. Here are some practical ideas in which you can strive towards the help and hope that is found in Christ as provided through the local church.
Taking Steps in Active Spiritual Accountability