Friday, May 25, 2012

Friend to Friend Friday

Our Separation from God


Christian Accountability - Biblical Guidance
Open Bible.com

Does the Bible speak of Christian accountability? First of all, the Bible says that God holds us accountable. Romans 14:12 says, "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." This is personal accountability.
Christians are also accountable to one another. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, we read that Christians are all part of the same body - the body of Christ - and each member needs or belongs to the other. This Scripture suggests the importance of strong accountability between Believers. It is important for every Believer to have at least one other person in which to confide, pray with, listen to, and encourage.

Galatians 6:1-2 gives a helpful principle, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." If your accountability friend has done something contrary to the Bible, you are called to confront him gently, forgive him, and comfort him. It also admonishes you to consider yourself because no one is above temptation.

Another aspect of Christian accountability is encouraging each other to grow in their spiritual maturity. Hebrews 10:24 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says to, "…encourage one another and build each other up…"

Are you accountable? Do you have a friend to whom you can go? Will that person hold you accountable in your spiritual walk? Are you the type of person that people can come to when they need accountability? Do you want a Christian accountability partner?

So this is my story on accountability.  Unfortunately, in the Christian community of women & men.  There has been a big interest in reading "unbiblical" smut books.  One in particular that has come to mind is a book called, "50 Shades of Grey."

Now, I have never heard of this book until a friend of mine said a group of women in the church had been reading this novel.  So of course I never take conversation at face value.  I pray for guidance and do research. And "BAM" in my face that same day a post on "Face Book" from a sister in Christ in  regards to the main character being "Hot" or something to that affect.

So I thought can this book  be that bad?  Yep!  Can a girl shout out, "wow!" It is xxx rated.  I was reading stuff like this before I began a relationship with our Mighty Savior Jesus Christ.  I call it "BC" (Before Christ) 

So I confronted this friend on the choices of reading material she was choosing. I was taken back by the answer I received.  She said " Christians cant take themselves completely out of the world & reading or watching something isn't the same as actually doing the act."  She also stated other Christian "wives, mothers & Pastors daughters" she knew had or are reading this book currently.  So, does this make it OK, because other Christians are doing it.  No! we should not be doing this because God commands us to be "Holy" Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:15.

I thought to myself, "Can this be happening?"  And I thought, of course it can.  We all fall short of the Glory of God & the adversary packages up things very nicely to entice people with there flesh.  And distracts us from reading God's Word. 

Is there in fact in church today accountability or not?  Does anyone say anything when we see sisters or brothers in the Faith stray off the path of Gods word.  Are we afraid of being criticized of being called a Jesus Freak or a radical for Jesus.

We are commanded by our Lord to be "The Salt of the Earth" Matt 5:13, "The Light of the world" Matt 5:14.

How is the world going to see Jesus in our lives when we don't live any different than the world does. 1 Thessalonians 4: 7-8
Ladies! Gentleman, this is real! Are we living for our Mighty Savior or the lust of the world?

The world hungers for something different & Jesus Christ is that difference. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, with all our hearts, soul & mind. We were & are new creations in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17

God (separated from us) sent His only Begotten Son (without sin) to die a horrible death for us, our sins, so He could have a wonderful relationship with us. Praise God!


1 John 2:15-17
Amplified Bible (AMP)
15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever.

 I pray for you to have Courage today
In His Almighty Name Jesus Christ

 


6 comments:

Gail @ http://biblelovenotes.com said...

This is so timely...Today on the patio of a restaurant we started visiting with a British couple and the wife brought up the book you mention here. She said she'd just downloaded it to her Kindle because a friend had recommended it, and she was shocked at the content. And I got the impression from our discussion that this couple were not Christian. But after she described it, I said, "Oh, I know I wouldn't be interested in it then."
Never heard the title until today...then read your post.
As Christians we must always struggle well to be in the world but not of it.
I commend you for talking with your friend about it even if she was unmoved.
Thanks for linking up to B&BB and have a very blessed week!

Gail @ http://biblelovenotes.com said...

How timely...just today a British lady told me that she'd downloaded this book to her Kindle only to be shocked by the content.

We really need to evaluate things in light of Christ, not our culture, and I'm often guilty of compromising with TV.

I've really been convicted in several areas this week. ouch!

Thanks for sharing on B&BB and I pray a blessed week on you and your family.

I hope this isn't my second comment. I thought I'd submitted one but I think I lost it.

No(dot dot)el said...

This is a really good post. I was going to read that book but then I read somewhere else that it was a twilight triple X kind of book and frankly, I didn't even care for twilight. I just read them because I wanted to know what my teenage daughter was interested in. Really good word here because we can never be too careful with the images we put in our minds. It's that whole garbage in garbage out. At the same time I know what your friend is saying in that we can't be too far removed and not know what is going on in the world. But there are extremes on both sides of that. The key is listening to the Holy Spirit and choosing what you hear Him speaking.

Ok girl sorry for the long post... sheesh!

EverythingIam-blogspot.blogspot.com said...

Thanks ladies for the encouragment. Have a great weekend, and I will pray for your families

Unknown said...

Well I say good for you for standing up for righteousness! I have turned din repentance when I have been corrected by good friends. As long as it is done in a private biblical way. I so agree with you and think it is sad all the compromises Christians make. I Know some of those compromise end in a backslider state. Great post filled with wisdom!

HeARTworks said...

Oh I read about that book in Time Magazine, about how it's so popular with women! No tempted! BUT I have to confess that I sometimes watch popular shows on TV with unsavory relationships, so this is a good reminder for me! God bless you! Patsy from
HeARTworks