Accountability to God

"My greatest thought is my accountability to God.” - Daniel Webster.

For many Christians, this is what guides our decisions and the lives we choose to live. It is not meant to be something that drives us into a state of fear, but rather the acknowledgement that all our choices will need to be justified before God.

In my opinion, what happens when we don't believe in an Eternal moment of accountability, is what is happening in Russia/Ukraine right now. If people don't have a healthy respect for God, (in Solomon's words, the 'fear of the Lord'), they will abuse and destroy all in their path. 

Romans 14:10 - For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

Sadly, it seems that we have not learnt anything from history. Political leaders are deceived that they are demi-gods and millions are affected by their delusions. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The power of accountability

I am not sure if it is just because I am a competitive person or whether it is because of the brilliance of the idea, but I am so enjoying using the "Nike Running App". How is works is that you download the Application (App) onto your phone and then you get some friends to do the same on their phones. Then every time you go for a run/walk, the App records your run and the time it took you to do your exercise. You can then keep tabs on your friends and they can do the same for you. You can even set challenges for each other, which is a wonderful way of spurring each other on.

I think that in our Christian lives we need people to keep us accountable to the "spiritual exercises" we should be doing. This shouldn't be done to brag about what we are doing, but rather as a means to hold each other accountable to our disciplines of faith. You see I think we become slack in our faith, too easily and we can hide our true "spiritual exercises" from one another. If I knew that you were going to hold me accountable for my daily devotions, prayer times, worship, giving and service, then I may be more committed to doing it.

So, here is the big question. Who is keeping you accountable in your spiritual journey? Do even feel that you are OK without someone in your life urging you forward? I strongly believe that when we go it alone, then we end up in dangerous territory. There is immense power in accountability.

Practical exercise: Try and find a person, group or even an App to keep you moving forward in your faith. Spiritual exercise is even more important than physical exercise!

Hebrews 4:13 -  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Sharing the load

I was reminded again this morning of the importance of community. We meet at McCafe every Tuesday morning at 6am for coffee and a devotion. The group of guys that meet together range in ages, work experience, family situations, years of faith and so on. The one thing that we all have in common is a deep desire to be real in our Christian lives. We seek to be accountable to God and to each other. We don't want our faith just to be a "one hour Sunday thing", but rather to be an integral part of our existence. We are all far from perfect, but we know that we don't have to be perfect for God to love us.


The gift of meeting with other believers is that we get to share the load together. If I am feeling weak this week, I know that I can lean on my 'brothers in Christ'. If one of my friends is struggling this week, I allow them to lean on me - it is all about community and grace.

Who do you share your Christian experience with? Are you part of a small group or do you have spiritual friends who keep you on the right track? If you find that you are going it alone at the moment, I urge you to find a group to join. Community moves us out of our comfort zones into a place of deeper growth and accountability.

Philippians 2:1-3 - "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

 "God has given us two hands - one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing." -Billy Graham


Living in Grace
D3LM3

Watching out for each other

   John Wesley – “Watch over each other in Love.”

      Being part of an accountability group is key to our growth in the faith. It is hard to open up to another Christian, but it will help us keep accountable to the things of God. Being a Christian is hard and we need someone to walk alongside us, encouraging us and keep us focused on the ways of Christ. For this reason, I love John Wesley's comment above .... watching over each other in love is crucial. 

     So, who has your back and who are you watching out for in love?

    Just asking?!

    Living in Grace

    D3LM3