Why Doesn’t God Immediately Judge Our Sin?

All of us were created for community. God has wired humans to live in godly relationship with one another (Genesis 2:18; Matthew 22:37-40). As believers, having a reliable group of people around us as we grow is very important for our spiritual journeys.

When Christ followers come together to grow in God’s Word, encourage one another in their walks with God, and pray for each other as they resist the devil’s temptations and seek to live like Jesus, they provide spiritual accountability to each other.

That’s one reason regularly worshiping with a body of believers at church is so important. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.†In Christ, we are a family: we need each other when we worship together, and we need each other the rest of the week as we seek to reject sin and honor Jesus.

Accountability in community isn’t about following a set of rules or telling people to suddenly become sinless—it is about loving our brothers and sisters in Christ and encouraging each other toward God’s truth. It is about worshiping Jesus together.

True community will involve inviting accountability. It’s not always easy, because it requires vulnerability and humility, but being transparent with our siblings in Christ strengthens the body of Christ and helps us grow in our understanding of Jesus and His good news.

So—what’s the next community step in your life? It might be finding a church family. If you already have a church family, it might mean asking a sibling in Christ to pray for a struggle you are having, or connecting with a Christian adult in your life who will help guide you by keeping you accountable regarding a certain sin, or diving into Scripture with a couple of close friends. However the Lord leads you into community with other Christians, know He will finish the work He started in you—to make you into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-30; Philippians 1:6). • Chelsea Leigh

• Do you have accountability with other Christians in your life right now? If not, take some time to pray about who God might be leading you to.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 50; Romans 2:1-16; 2 Peter 3:8-18