As we have seen, the first discipline is a personal one…

1. A Private Time Daily in the Word and Prayer (quiet time)

Having energized our lives privately in the Word and prayer, the next three disciplines are involved with other believers.

We have looked at…

2. One Large Group Worship Experience Each Week

3. One Small Group Interactive Bible Study Each Week

The next one is…

4. Regular Meetings With One or More People For Accountability of One’s Moral, Ethical and General Life Focus. (men with men; women with women)

Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

I can’t even begin to tell you how valuable my times of meeting with a small group of pastors has been to me.  Over the years, it has help me stay focused on my calling. Our elders as well help me stay on track.

Do you realize that the days are evil?

Psalm 90:8 (ESV) say, “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.”

Never has it been easier for a person to be involved with secret sins than it is today because of the Internet. Secret Sins are killing Christians today. What’s so stupid is, our secret sins are not a secret to God. “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you.” Psalm 69:5 (ESV)

Here is the reality:

“Ecclesiastes 12:14 (ESV)

For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

Hebrews 4:13 (NIV) tells us, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

The reason we want to give accountability to others now is so we won’t have to give an account of those actions in judgement.

I can hear some macho man saying, “I don’t answer to anyone by God.” Why then does James admonish us to “confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed”    (James 5:16 (ESV).

I find it’s hard to answer only to God in Spirit. When I voluntarily account to other believers, I think of it as answering to the Jesus in them. And when I find they still love me even though they know my very worst side, I am encouraged to believe that God still loves me too.

Accountability is so crucial to Christian living.