We’re at War! – Part 3: The Buddy System

We have been set free but living free is a challenge as we continually fight against the temptations that threaten to derail us. I thank God that I am not alone on this journey. He has enriched my life with fellow travelers that are eager to provide their love, support, Godly counsel and correction when necessary.

Galatians 5: Vs. 1.It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Vs.13.You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.

When we embark on new challenges, we tend to align ourselves with someone going through a similar situation or that successfully achieved a similar goal. We do so for encouragement during the difficult times and for honest but loving correction when we stray. Having relationships like this is necessary, but more importantly, having someone to whom you are accountable is essential because accountability protects us. Accountability protects us from our fallible selves and from completely veering off course on our spiritual journey. Knowing that you will have to “answer” to someone really forces you to make every effort to do the right thing. I have three people in my life (My Mom still being one of them) to whom I am accountable and they keep me on track.

I have been in situations where I have had to own up to something that I should not have done and where I was corrected, encouraged and set back on the right path. It’s tough to face tough love but it protects us and prepares us for that Day when we will all be accountable to God for how we lived our lives.

Matthew 25:31-33 – “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Do you have someone in your life that keeps you in check; someone that is candid and honest with you; seeks your best interest and is always ready to give Godly counsel and to set you on the right path when you go astray?

Inspired by the teachings of Charles Stanley. Please visit the audio archives at www.intouch.org for “A Call to Accountability” Parts 1 and 2 dated November 10th and 11th, 2009.