Daily Devotional for Monday June 9, 2003

The need for accountability

( Exodus 18:17-24 )

The need for accountability. In talking about the subject of accountability, we need to start at point A. Do you even believe that you need to be accountable to someone? Do you believe that you need to be accountable to other people? Do you believe that you need to be accountable to God? In talking about this subject, you must first be convicted by the Holy Spirit of its importance in your life. When we feel something is important, then we get serious about it.

The Bible tells us that "each of us, will give an account of himself to God." I think we all understand that and accept that our lives are accountable to God. But it is a long journey still ahead of us from today, until that day we stand before God...and we are walking through this life in these weak clay tents called "flesh". That is why God has given us pastors, brothers and sisters in Christ to make this journey with. To help us, encourage us, rebuke us, and challenge us along the way. Listen to me carefully. NO MATTER HOW FAR DOWN THE ROAD WE GET IN LIFE, NO MATTER HOW SPIRITUALLY MATURE WE BECOME..WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE!!!!!

Look at Moses. Here is the man God used to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, the man who stood before God and received the 10 Commandments, a man as close to God as few who have ever lived. Moses still needed to be accountable to, and receive counsel from others. The Bible says that "a wise man listens to counsel", that "plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed". So what keeps us from being accountable, allowing others to help us along life's journey? Sin and pride.

The Bible tells us that "all have sinned and come short of God's glory". None of us are void of sin in our life, however our response to sin is the key. God tells us to confess our sins and He will forgive us. Ultimately, it is only the power of the Holy Spirit that can help us defeat the sin in our life, but we need our brothers and sisters in Christ that we are accountable to, to help us through those day to day struggles we all face.

The only reason we don't use that resource God has given us is because of our pride. The original sin in the universe was pride and the Bible warns us about pride throughout. We refuse to get help in dealing with the sin in our life because we are too proud to admit we need help. Listen, you can't overcome sin alone or you would. The Bible says to "confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed". You can't do it alone and God never intended for you to try to. To be victorious, you need to be held accountable to others in this life.

I love you, and I care about you. I want to see you living the victorious, abundant life God has promised for His children. We are all accountable to God for our lives. He has placed mature brothers and sisters in our life to hold us accountable day to day, to help us to stand and not fall. Forget your pride, and use this gift God has given to you. It is better that we find a brother or sister to be accountable to now, to help us be victorious over the sin in our life, than to have to one day stand before God and explain why we were not the productive children He called us to be. Our purpose is to serve and glorify God with our lives. Being accountable is one way we can overcome our own shortcomings to fulfill that purpose. I will be praying today that you will take serious, the need for accountability.

In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ, Bill Keller