By Emma Wallace
Synopsis: The college years of a young Christian can be a rewarding experience; they can also be wrought with spiritual temptations. Finding a local congregation of saints to hold you accountable is imperative.
This past fall, I moved to a new city and began my freshman year at Texas A&M University. That came with an array of new challenges and responsibilities, including finding a new church, finding housing, and picking friends. It was a hard adjustment moving away from the home and church I had been part of for so long. I am blessed to have found a strong congregation who helps keep me grounded in my faith and growing my wisdom in Christ. Although a smaller congregation, the Southwest church of Christ has provided a blend of mature and young Christians, including ten college-age peers who help support each another in our spiritual journeys.
We need to remain accountable, prioritizing our spiritual well-being while also balancing the newfound responsibilities, challenges, and freedoms of a college student, away from home for the first time. Sometimes, especially at a young age, we can become more susceptible to falling short. Therefore, it is crucial to surround yourselves with loving Christians who will help hold each other accountable.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Prov. 27:17).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, speaks about how we should be imitators of Christ. He is the standard and we should strive to help others just as He did. We should desire perfection for the whole body of Christ, just as Christ is. The body of Christ, made up by each individual of the church, should be unified (1 Cor. 12:20-27). This can be furthered through the act of correction for the growth of His body (Eph. 4:12-16).
God created us with the intentions that we help one another when we may fall (Eccl. 4:9-10). Throughout Scripture, we can see many examples of lifting a brother or sister up through correction. In 2 Samuel 12, Nathan rebuked David for his hypocritical anger and the sins that he had committed (adultery, attempted cover-up, and murder). David responded with humility, saying, “I have sinned against the Lord” (v. 13). We can assume it was difficult for Nathan to stand up to David, but because of his love for his king and the Lord, he focused David’s attention upon his assorted wrongs to lead him to repentance. In Galatians 2, Paul corrected Peter for refusing to eat with the Gentiles, as it contradicted what they had been preaching, that the gospel was for all, including Gentiles. We can learn from the attitudes of those throughout Scripture that we should correct those who are doing wrong as well as listen to those trying to help our souls.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight (Rom. 12:16).
Holding each other accountable is not always pleasant. It’s easy to avoid confrontation as “no chastening seems to be joyful for the presence, but painful,” however the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” that this yields should motivate us to help one another (Heb. 12:11). Attempting to correct someone might also be scary. My fear of ruining friendships has previously hindered me from speaking up to help a brother or sister. However, our desire to help one’s soul towards God and following His commandments should outweigh the fear of their response. Hebrews 10:24 emphasizes how we, as servants of the Lord, should willingly and eagerly fulfill this command by teaching, correcting, and helping one another.
Before approaching a brother or sister, may we should examine our mindset. What is the goal? What do I hope to gain out of the interaction? Do you desire to be right and prove someone else wrong? Do you desire to start arguments? As we read in 2 Timothy 2:23-26, Paul exhorts Timothy to “avoid foolish and ignorant disputes” and emphasizes that a servant of the Lord should humbly correct those in opposition so that “they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil.” We should desire to help straighten someone’s path, helping them grow in the Lord (Gal. 6:1-2).
Christ provides an outline for us to follow whenever we notice a brother or sister is in sin or needs to be corrected. Beginning in Matthew 18:15, Jesus taught His disciples this process. First, we should go to them alone, addressing the issue, following afterwards with the company of one or two more, then taking the matter to the church if they do not choose to listen to wise counsel.
Let all that you do be done in love (1 Cor. 16:14).
It is important that love guides our hearts whenever keeping others accountable. We need to offer correction in a gentle and loving manner. It is a commandment for us to love one another, just as Christ loved us (John 13:34). If we truly love and care for one another, we will correct them out of concern for their soul. As mentioned in Hebrews 10:24, we are to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”
Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it (Ps. 141:5).
It is also important that we, when accepting correction, have an open heart and self-reflecting attitude concerning what is being brought forward. It is easy for us to get embarrassed or offended, leading us to ignore and oppose wise counsel. We should recall how Solomon speaks of those who reject and accept instruction. He compares those who love wisdom to those who hate correction, which he calls stupid (Prov. 12:1). He compares the fool who despises instruction to the prudent who receive correction (Prov. 15:5). He compares those who fear the Lord and gain understanding to those who disdain instruction and despise their own souls (Prov. 15:32). Should we be like the wise, who fear the Lord and listen to correction? Or should we be like fools who despise our own souls? Proverbs 8:33 gives us the answer clearly, saying that we are to be wise and hear instruction, while not neglecting it.
He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed (Prov. 13:20).
As young Christian, it is important to choose our surroundings carefully. The physical environment and people with which we choose to surround ourselves affect more than we may realize, which can be both good or bad influences on our lives. If we put ourselves in bad situations with immorality of any sort around us, we are more likely to give in to the desires of the world. Paul reminds us of this in 1 Corinthians 15:33, saying, “Bad company corrupts good morals.” However, when we surround ourselves with people of like minds and like precious faith, we will be positively influenced and encouraged, helping us move towards the finish line—heaven. Choosing a sound and faithful church with members who will further your spiritual journey should be a priority.
Another factor that should be prioritized for young adults, especially when away from home for the first time, is their living situation. This comes with a variety of factors, including the location, accessibility, and the influences of potential roommates. The housing situation I would have during these years played a big role in my college decision. I am blessed that my temporary home-away-from-home is filled with other Christians who can lift me up and keep me accountable, as well as being close to a local congregation which can build me up towards the Lord.
Whether babes in Christ or even wise elders, we need to make sure our priorities are firm and decisions will help lead us down the right path. Choosing our surroundings wisely will give us the opportunities to both help keep others accountable and allow us to be guided back if we falter.
