yo,
This is really something i've noticed a while back and recently begun noticing again (thx in large part to the david/nathan sermon this past sunday), at least with myself personally. Christians have a tendency to go solo in their spiritual walk. We can have friends, we can even be actively serving in church, but it is very rare to find groups who commit to meeting up for the purposes of prayer, reading, and accountability. In particular, i want to revive the lost art of confession of sins.
paul wrote in 2 cor. that we are to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates and to perfect holiness out of reverence for God. I've personally found nothing more motivating for this purpose of sanctification than the encouragement and counsel of good friends. I read once that, on average, we speak 10, 000 words a day, Ephesians exhorts us to use as many of those 10k for the purposes of building each other up as possible. I think so often we fear rejection more than we do the consequences of continuing in sin. I have personally never had someone reject me after I've confessed my sins to them, if anything such honesty typically strengthend the bond i had with the person.
My encouragement this week is to sift through your network of friends and chose someone who you feel is able to keep you accountable; then aggressively pursue holiness by entrusting your sins and shortcomings to each other in confessions and prayer requests. Surround yourself with friends who aren't afraid of being honest wiht you about what they see, and at the same time, be active to pursue holiness in others by pointing out problems you see in their lives out of the love you have for them. That "love" bit is the most important part, compassion is absolutely essential in the giving of Godly correction/criticism and it is the bit I most often find myself forgetting. True love is moved into action, apathy remains silent.
Have a happy wednesday!
edward
"Confess yours sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed." James 5:16
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." - Ephesians 4: 15-16
"Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body...Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." - Ephesians 4:25-29
Simon's cat trying to get into the house:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rb8aOzy9t4
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