One of the tools that God has given us for rooting sin out of our lives is accountability. God knows that we often need to have a real live human to say to us, "You are not thinking straight. You are making a mistake. Why are you doing that stupid thing?" It isn't comfortable for either the sinner or the one who is doing the pointing out, but it is something that we cannot get along without. Even Peter the apostle had to be pulled up short, and Paul had to do it. Peter was getting trapped in legalism, requiring Gentile converts to follow Jewish law. This was particularly ironic, since Peter was the one who received the vision from the Lord, saying that the Gentiles were to be accepted into the church, and were not to be required to follow the dietary laws. Paul saw what was happening, and he knew that is could not be allowed to pass. It would affect the whole future of the church if a Jewish/Gentile split were allowed to happen now. So Paul stood up and said, "No, You are wrong, and this is why." Do you have an accountability partner who can do this for you? Do you have someone who loves you enough to say, "You are wrong, stop!"
Do you have someone who will hold you accountable? Can your friends count on you to hold them accountable.
Great stuff, Scott. Thanks!
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