As iron sharpens iron

For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves...Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Romans 14:7, 12-13

From the text, the Apostle Paul’s admonition was for every believer to have a sense of accountability with one another since they do not live or die for themselves. God uses this concept of accountability for the purpose of building up one another. “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” (Proverbs 27:17). If you will not take advantage of this opportunity to have someone that will help you grow in this area of accountability, you will be missing out on one of God’s gifts that helps enhanced spiritual growth. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself gave an example of His own accountability to the Father. “I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me... For I always do what pleases him” (John 8:28-29). The church as the body of Christ should be accountable to the head who is Christ. “Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church” (Ephesians 5:23). Paul himself expressed his own sense of accountability to the church at Antioch. “Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them” (Acts 14:27). When you take advantage of the opportunity to be open to someone in the faith and begin to share your failures, weaknesses, and deep longings you will be benefited. You will develop a great sense of responsibility that you will desire to serve God. Knowing that you are accountable to what you do promotes integrity and honesty. This will help you become aware of how to use your freedom in Christ and not misuse it. This will also provide you wisdom so you will know how to examine your own motive and prevents you from unhealthy relationships. Sense of accountability guards you from making decisions so you could see clearly your blind spots and weaknesses. Once you seek out the person, guided by prayer and the Holy Spirit, let God lead you to someone that is willing to accept you for who you are. You want someone that has the courage to confront you when you are wrong and will provide advice coming from godly wisdom based on His word. So pray that God will lead you to the person He wants you to walk alongside with whose purpose is to encourage you to grow in your faith. “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16).

Blessings,