As Iron Sharpens Iron -- A Lesson in Accountability

Fellow Paladins:

So how goes the “battle” (biblically speaking of course – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL7cL_p5_84)? Rest assured, the battle we face in law enforcement goes hand-in-hand with the spiritual warfare we are engaged in daily. That said, part of girding (preparing for combat) ourselves for the battle should be regular fellowship with other believers – both with fellow Christian officers and as part of your local fellowship – aka “church.” Last week’s study centered around that very topic and the issue of biblical accountability. Here’s the recap:

Our foundational text was Proverbs 27:17 -- As iron sharpens iron, so one man (or woman) sharpens another. God’s infallible and inerrant word, the Bible, calls us to be accountable both to Him and to one another (fellow believers – aka those who have turned from their sin and trusted Christ as Lord and Savior – the definition of a “Christian”). Moreover, the concept should not be lost on any of us who have been through a military boot camp and/or a police academy. The issue is also central to what we do as a ministry and fellowship. One of the major reasons we should be meeting regularly with fellow Christian law enforcement personnel is so that we can be lovingly accountable to one another. Of course, accountability involves both the willingness to be held accountable and trusting those we are accountable to.

Finally, let’s not forget that we are ultimately accountable to God above all else: Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT) says, For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes, and He is the one to whom we are accountable; Romans 14:12 says, So then each of you shall give an account of himself to God. Of course, knowing that we must one day answer to a just God should be a powerful incentive for holiness and obedience -- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may one day receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Cor. 5:10).

The following links provide for a very solid overview on biblical accountability and make for an outstanding individual devotional study on the topic:
(1) http://www.middletree.net/accountability.asp
(2) http://encouragingbiblequotes.com/verseshonestya.html
(3) http://www.gotquestions.org/accountability.html
(4) http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.4944113/k.9535/Life_Principle_25__What_the_Bible_Says__Accountability_Relationships.htm
To whom are YOU accountable?

This week we will dig into our next chapter on Christian law enforcement leadership using veteran Marine and police officer Col. Ray Fairman’s Are You Destined to Lead? Mission Ready Leadership Essentials from the “Ol’ Gunner” as a template. If you are local or visiting, please join us and invite a friend or colleague for this thoroughly biblical and profession-relevant series. As always, I’ll post a recap in next week’s newsletter and here on our website for all those outside our area. Stay tuned!

TRAINING OP:

Chief Jake Shirk, the Monument (CO) PD, and a number of faith-based organizations are sponsoring a one-day church safety and security seminar on Saturday, June 19th, from 0800-1600 at 8710 Lexington Drive in Colorado Springs, CO. Yes, you'll discover it is a LDS church but this is not a LDS event (and perhaps you’ll have an opportunity to witness the true Gospel to our LDS friends). Visit the Monument Police Department website at http://www.monumentpd.org/ for more information and RSVP Chief Shirk at jshirk@pd.townofmonument.net or 719-481-3253. If you plan on attending, simply advise that you are with The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry or your local church when you check in. Don’t forget to “carry” when you’re off-duty -- especially when at church!

MEETING SCHEDULE updates & latest PRAYER REQUESTS are posted and updated regularly here on our website. In fact, the latest post is here now -- immediately follows this one (below). Check back frequently and please time the time to pray for our hurting brothers and sisters.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to wish all the father’s out there a very special Father’s Day. As some will remember, my Dad went to be with the Lord just before Father's Day last year so don't forget to wish your own dads a happy Father's Day. Moreover, strive to be the loving and godly dad that our own heavenly Father has called you to be. I’ll have more on this next week but, for now, check out: http://christianity.about.com/od/prayersverses/qt/fatherbiblevers.htm and http://www.christianitytoday.com/holidays/father/. Spend the day with your families if you can.

Let’s be sure to wear both our physical and spiritual body armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) so that we can stay in the fight and finish strong!