Ephesians 4:15-16 (NASB)
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Our grandson, who just graduated from seminary last summer, posted the following quote in Facebook today from Michael Lawrence.

“Sometimes it is hard to assure ourselves. Our sins are always in front of us, clouding our view. Our perspective is so often dominated by the pressing sin and the failure of the moment. That’s when we need someone else to look at us, and to point out the longer-term growth, the present trust, and the fruit of the Spirit that we cannot see in ourselves.”
-Michael Lawrence,’Conversion’

Lawrence was pointing out the importance of being part of a church family where the members are authentic with each other, helping each other to grow in Christ by lovingly identifying stumbling blocks.

There are Christians that won’t listen to other Christians that can see things in them that they themselves cannot. They have convinced themselves that they can do it on their own. Certainly there are those in your life that are just critical because you don’t fit their preconceived notion of how you should be or act. But true accountability partners can be a significant guide in cooperating with the Holy Spirit. Those that believe they are more mature in Christ than others will often get trapped by their own shortcomings.

Do you have an accountability partner? Have you ever rejected the loving counsel of other Christians?

Heavenly Father, I pray for the wisdom to see my shortcomings when other Christians give me good counsel. I pray that the Holy Spirit would convict me to see these things, so that I can grow in Christ. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,