A funny thing happened since I wrote my last e-mail reflection. I've been flossing my teeth every day! That's 24 days in a row, and according to conventional wisdom, if I keep it up for another 7 day, one month without fail, I will have so ingrained flossing into my daily routine that it will be a habit! It will be harder for me to quit flossing than to keep it up.

Okay, I know you'e wondering what this has to do with anything.

Remember last time I wrote about having the "right want-to"; the desire to do the things we're supposed to do, the things we know are good for us, knowing we often fall lamentably short of those worthy goals. Flossing, of course, was not the point. The point was that until God finally, graciously gives us the "right want-tos," we need those occasional (even guilt producing) reminders to do the right thing. Now here's the funny part (not "ha-ha" funny, but surprising funny): in confessing my flossing follies to you, I unexpectedly found the right "want-to."

The key was accountability. Somehow, talking openly about what you and I both know I should be doing has made me feel accountable to you. I find this is so, even though no one (except my dad) called me on it. And this accountability has provided motivation I needed to do what I haven't been successful at for years.

Charles Colson has written a book about the church everyone should read called The Body, in which he notes that There is today a widespread belief that one can be a Christian or develop one's own faith system apart from the church. The proposition is ludicrous. For everyone regenerated by God is by definition a part of the universal church. It's not a matter of choice or membership. 'And following the pattern made normative in the Book of Acts, each believer is to make his or her confession, be baptized, and become part of a local congregation with all of the accountability that implies. (69-70)

I suspect this notion of accountability, the willing mutual submission that is integral to true "koinonia" (fellowship, communion, community) that being followers of Jesus calls us to, is not a very popular notion these days. "Being willing to explain your actions, being open, and non-defensive about your motives... answering for your life and supplying the reasons why" goes against the grain of our independent individualism. But as Charles Swindoll reminds us, "When it's a factor of friendship it becomes deep and meaningful."

When our latest Confirmation Class came before the Session last week to be examined for membership, one of the questions they were asked was, "What do you expect from the church?" One young person thought a moment and then said, "To hold me accountable... you know, if I start hanging with the wrong crowd, or stuff like that." There was a collective intake of breath among us elders as we all thought, "Wow!" but didn't say it.

Our gospel lesson this coming Sunday includes this curious phrase: "If two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." This breathtaking promise is set in a defining passage of Scripture that makes accountability an essential quality of the community of those who follow Jesus. It's essential, because it's what keeps us honest, keeps us truthful and truth-seeking, and as Jesus said, "The truth will set you free."

Following Jesus with you,

Erwin

1) Don't forget we're still worshiping at 9:30 through September, with a Fellowship time afterward.

2) Next Wednesday we're hosting a brief community service in remembrance of 9-11, in the Sanctuary, 8:15-8:45.

3) Please note my new e-mail address: erwinfg@fuse.net