This guy really gets me upset... he takes all of the blame for his actions, but the local body of Christ around him also takes the blame for this, rightfully so, because he should have been held to a higher standard of intimate accountability with other men to prevent this kind of thing happening. Don't get me wrong, we are all capable of great sin, and I've made my own mistakes just like you and everyone else, but this is why we MUST rely on others intimately (close friends of our same gender - spouses are great but may not be quite as objective to call us out on stuff) to hold us accountable in an intentional way such that we give them the right to ask us tough questions that we can give straight answers to on a regular basis. And when we make mistakes, those friends/family who we trust intimately are there to pick us back up, forgive, and help us get back to where we need to be with God.
I think about how many of our other Christian leaders and people we look up to may be lying just as long about secret sins like these and yet is anyone paying attention to whether or not they have intentional accountability to others? Many men of faith I have heard claim they are only where they are by God's Grace due to the "warriors" in their lives that have practiced the four A's with them: Acceptance of who they are regardless, Affirmation of their desire to be Godly, Accountability to righteous standards, and Authority in their lives to direct them to God because we have won the respect and right to do so.
I totally agree with what John said. The word that resonates with me is "accountability" For those of us in ministry, there is a responsibility to be an example to others. But in that, we try to put up a front and live a life of lives. I feel sad for this man. I actually was moved when I first heard the song and the story behind it. But now, every time I hear/sing that song, I might think of something different then be moved by the song.
We must rely on others to get us through. Honestly. Openness. All qualities we must have.
We are all a few steps away from having the same tragic story when we don't deal with our junk.
2 comments:
This guy really gets me upset... he takes all of the blame for his actions, but the local body of Christ around him also takes the blame for this, rightfully so, because he should have been held to a higher standard of intimate accountability with other men to prevent this kind of thing happening. Don't get me wrong, we are all capable of great sin, and I've made my own mistakes just like you and everyone else, but this is why we MUST rely on others intimately (close friends of our same gender - spouses are great but may not be quite as objective to call us out on stuff) to hold us accountable in an intentional way such that we give them the right to ask us tough questions that we can give straight answers to on a regular basis. And when we make mistakes, those friends/family who we trust intimately are there to pick us back up, forgive, and help us get back to where we need to be with God.
I think about how many of our other Christian leaders and people we look up to may be lying just as long about secret sins like these and yet is anyone paying attention to whether or not they have intentional accountability to others? Many men of faith I have heard claim they are only where they are by God's Grace due to the "warriors" in their lives that have practiced the four A's with them: Acceptance of who they are regardless, Affirmation of their desire to be Godly, Accountability to righteous standards, and Authority in their lives to direct them to God because we have won the respect and right to do so.
I totally agree with what John said. The word that resonates with me is "accountability" For those of us in ministry, there is a responsibility to be an example to others. But in that, we try to put up a front and live a life of lives. I feel sad for this man. I actually was moved when I first heard the song and the story behind it. But now, every time I hear/sing that song, I might think of something different then be moved by the song.
We must rely on others to get us through. Honestly. Openness. All qualities we must have.
We are all a few steps away from having the same tragic story when we don't deal with our junk.
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