"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted" (Gal 6:1).
Christianity is ultimately not basic instructions for life but a loving relationship with a Person. There are no basic standard formulas for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life. There are no 7 steps to a happy Christian life that works for everyone. Yet some principles may be helpful, not as a rule or code, but as a guide for practical consideration.
Here are proposed ABCs that may help Christ followers in our journey of faith (please freely think of other words):
· A (accountability): Gal 6:1.
· B (beauty): Ps 27:4.
· C (community): Rom 12:16. Or (constancy): Dt 8:3. Or (confession): James 5:16.
· D (delight): Ps 37:4.
· E (experience): Ps 34:8.
· F (freedom): Gal 5:1. Or (friendship): Jn 15:15.
· G (gospel of God's grace): Acts 20:24.
Questions for Reflection (Think about why accountability is important, what not to do, and how to do it.):
1. Why is accountability crucially important for every Christian? Read:
a. 1 Pet 5:8.
b. Prov 14:12; 16:25.
c. Eccl 4:9-12.
d. Mt 7:3-5.
2. How do you call someone to be accountable? Read:
a. Gal 6:1. Is there a habitual sin you need to gently restore a brother/sister from? Are you willing to be accountable yourself? Avail yourself/listen to those who seek to restore you?
b. Gal 6:2. What opportunities has God given you to carry another's burden?
c. Gal 6:3. How do you regard yourself?
d. 1 Sam 12:1-14. What can you learn from Nathan? Do you have a Nathan? Are you a Nathan to others?
e. Mt 18:15-17. When someone in the church sins, what should you do?
3. Regarding accountability what should you not do? Read:
a. Gal 5:25. What is the evidence that you may be conceited?
b. Gal 6:4. What do you think about yourself?
4. How liberating is it to know that you will only answer for your own load (Gal 6:5), and not how you lived compared to others (Gal 6:4)?
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