Christian Responsibility

 

     Christianity is a life of responsibility. Personal responsibility is taught in the Old Testament. "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment." (Ecclesiastes 11:9) The New Testament also teaches personal responsibility. "For each one shall bear his own load." (Galatians 6:5) Judgment will be by God's word, and based on ability plus opportunity. Each Christian has ability and opportunity and therefore each Christian has responsibility.

 

      God’s people are responsible for what they think: "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, But his heart is not with you." (Proverbs 23:7) No one can do right who does not think right. Thinking determines our eternal destination. Wrong actions always grow out of wrong thinking. "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication's, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." (Matthew 15:19)

 

      God’s people are responsible for what they believe: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4) In a world torn with hundred of beliefs God's people are responsible for believing and doing what is right. God's word, the Bible, is the source of our faith (Romans 10:17)

 

      God’s people are responsible for what they say:  "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37) Words can bless or hurt those touched by our lives. "What" is said and "how" it is said is the responsibility of the child of God. Your words can save or condemn, bless or hurt, cheer or discourage, lift up or pull down.

 

     God’s people are responsible for what they do: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10) Our deeds are our life. The judgment as pictured in Matthew twenty-five, should cause us to look at our deeds. What have you done for God this week?

 

      God’s people are responsible for what they give:  "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings."(Malachi 3:8) Giving is a great indicator of our spiritual depth. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38)  Giving is an indication of where your heart is. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20)

 

     God’s people are responsible for what they teach: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." (James 3:1) Those that teach are responsible for the salvation of their own souls and of those they teach. "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:16)

 

      "Responsibility" is almost an ugly word in our world today. However, "Christian" and "responsibility" go together. One cannot be "Christian" without fulfilling "responsibility." As a Christian fulfill your responsibility!

 

      Will you appreciate Jesus enough that you will receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW? To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30, confess Christ as Lord (Acts 8:37), and be baptized to be saved. (1 Peter 3:21). After baptism use your life to spread the glorious gospel of Christ!

 

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, P. O. Box 551, Greenville, Alabama 36037 USA