We are examining what the scriptures say about our responsibilities as believers. What does the word responsibility mean? Does it really apply to us as New Testament believers?
According to Merriam Webster the word responsibility means:
1. the quality or state of being responsible: such as
a: moral, legal, or mental accountability
b: RELIABILITY, TRUSTWORTHINESS
2. something for which one is responsible: BURDEN
has neglected his responsibilities.
One of the Synonyms for responsibility is the word liability. These are sobering words that give us a sense that someone has a right to expect a certain response to that for which we are accountable. In other words, “the buck stops here” as a popular colloquial saying goes.
One preacher said, responsibility is the “ability to respond.” In other words, it is the ability to accomplish something to which we are accountable and called to do.
I can look back over my life and realize there were times I expected God to do something for me when all along He had given me the responsibility to do a particular thing.
A well-known minister was fasting and praying for God to help him in a certain way. As he fasted and prayed, the Lord spoke to him and asked him what he was doing. He said, “I’m waiting on you Lord, to do such and such.” The Lord quickly rebuked him and said, “I Am waiting on you to do what I told you to do.” Ouch!
How often we have been in that same place, waiting for God to move on our behalf, when it was our lack of obedience, and follow through that was holding up our progress or answered prayer.
According to scripture, God expects us to present our bodies to Him as a living sacrifice. He expects us to renew our minds. He expects us to serve Him with gladness. These are our responsibilities. We cannot lay them on someone else.
The Bible commands us to walk in love, to forgive, to pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). These are not easy commandments for us, but they have come from the Father and Lord Jesus Christ, and we are responsible to walk in them.
Here is a partial list of things we are to do as believers.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 1Thessalonians 5:15
“Rejoice always,” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
“Pray without ceasing,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19
“Do not despise prophecies.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21
“Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22
What an impact it would have on our fellowship gatherings if we all practiced these scriptural directives. I want to do my part to see this a reality when we meet with other believers.
All throughout scripture the Lord directs us to trust, love, forgive, be humble, care for others, have patience, grow in grace, endure hardships, speak the truth in love, choose life, and a host of other responsibilities. Obviously, we cannot do any of these things in our own goodness or strength. Anyone deceived into believing that will soon have a very sobering wakeup call.
In John chapter 15, Jesus said “without Him we can do nothing” (John 15:5). However, Paul said, in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” They were saying the same thing, but coming at it from different angles.
We must all totally depend on the Lord to aid us in walking out His directives and will. He is our Shepherd and knows our every weakness, but He also fully expects us to lean upon Him for strength to achieve all He has ordained us to accomplish in this life.
As you study God’s word, you will begin to realize the vast amount of responsibility He has given each of us in partnering with Him for His eternal plan. No one can honestly say, “God has not shown me what to do.” Even while waiting in prayer for greater clarity on our major decisions in life, we can be faithful to walk responsibly in the light of His written word.
Although we have God given responsibilities, let us pray to see them, not as burdens only, but privileges and opportunities to walk with the Father and the Lord Jesus.
We will begin a new subject next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father richly bless and keep you.
James Brown CST 07/20/2023