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OUR DAILY BREAD                 Wed., July 19, 1995 
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READ:  Galatians 2:11-21 
 
         
                TURN YOURSELF IN 
                   
      "Faithful are the wounds of a friend." 
 
                         -- Proverbs 27:6  
 
 
The spiritual-sounding phrase "I am answerable only 
to God" may be a subtle excuse for not answering 
to anyone, including God! 
 
Charles Colson, one of President Nixon's closest 
aides during the Watergate coverup, became a 
Christian.  In an article titled "The Problem of 
Power," he wrote, "Christians need to hold one 
another accountable.  Although I know intellectually 
how vulnerable I am to pride and power, I am the  
last one to know when I succumb to their seduction. 
That's why spiritual lone rangers are so dangerous - 
and why we must depend on trusted brothers and 
sisters who love us enough to tell us the truth. 
 
Paul confronted Peter face-to-face for his hypocrisy 
(Gal 2:11-14).  How embarrassing for Peter!  But he 
needed the rebuke.  Peter knew from his previous 
boasting and denial of Christ that he couldn't trust  
his own estimate of himself. 
 
All of us must come to that realization sooner or  
later.  One way to make sure you're not the last 
one to know when you're sinning is to "turn yourself 
in."  Ask a Christian brother or sister to show you 
where you need improvement.  They can help hold you 
accountable. 
 
Don't be a spiritual lone ranger.  Turn yourself in. 
 
                        -- Dennis J. De Haan 
 
                ACCOUNTABILITY CHECK 
 
  Do we immediately become defensive when criticized? 
 Is the criticism we give to others loving and helpful? 
    In what ways can we become more accountable? 
 
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY             
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    True friends speak the truth in love. 
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Proverbs 25-28

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