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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Accountability Part 1

There is no perfect church.  All churches are made up of imperfect people.  We are all sinners.
"Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5 ESV
I do believe that churches should hold their leaders accountable for their actions.  When someone is in a leadership position serving in the church, there should be standards by which they live, behave, and post on FacebookChildren, new believers, and the spiritually immature are so easily influenced. When they see a leader behaving a certain way, they WILL think it is okay to do those things and be able to serve God wholly.  We cannot serve God the way He intended when we live like the world.  We are to be a "peculiar people." (Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9 KJV)
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:1-3 (ESV emphasis added)

First Peter was written to believers that were struggling in sin - to encourage them in their struggles and remind them of the true grace of God.  From Matthew Henry's commentary: When a man is truly converted, it is very grievous to him to think how the time past of his life has been spent. One sin draws on another. Six sins are here mentioned which have dependence one upon another. It is a Christian's duty, not only to keep from gross wickedness, but also from things that lead to sin, or appear evil. It is so very important that leaders set an exemplary example of the Christian life. How can we bring total honor and glory to God in our churches and programs when the leaders are not 100 percent sold out to God, striving to live a holy life?

2 comments:

  1. Amen! Nothing more needs to be said Sweetie!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hmmm...I was thinking just about the same when I heard about the facebook incident...Hope you are well!

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