A church family will help keep you from backsliding.
None of us are immune to temptation. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin.
God knows this, so He has assigned us as individuals the responsibility of keeping each other on track.
The Bible says, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13).
“Mind your own business” is not a Christian phrase!
We are called and commanded to be involved in each other’s lives. If you know someone who is wavering spiritually right now, it is your responsibility to go after him and bring him back into the fellowship.
James tells us, “Brothers, if any one of you strays from the truth and someone corrects him,let him know that he who converts the sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19).
A local church also provides the spiritual protection of godly leaders. God gives the shepherd leader the responsibility to guard, protect, defend and care for the spiritual welfare of his flock (Acts 20:28-29; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Heb. 13:7).
We are told, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. Let them do this with joy and not complaining, for that would not be profitable to you” (Heb. 13:17b).
Satan loves detached believers, unplugged from the life of the body, isolated from God’s family, and unaccountable to spiritual leaders, because he knows they are defenseless and powerless against his tactics.
Don’t let him get a foothold in your life! Stay connected to your church family.
Talk It Over
- What kind of relationships will you have to develop if you want accountability with people in the body of Christ?
- How should you pray for your church leaders?
- What do you need to do to reconnect with your church family? Who do you know who needs to be brought back into your church family?
Rick Warren New York Times best-seller The Purpose Driven Life. His book, The Purpose Driven Church, was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also founder of pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors.
