Responsibility

• Responsible people admit their wrongs (1 Chronicles 21: 8)-1 Chronicles 21:8 (NLT)Then David said to God, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt for doing this foolish thing.”

We show responsibility whenever we are able to admit the wrongs we have committed before God.  When we repent like David did, we can obtain forgiveness and favor by God.  It is important that we are able to admit our responsibility for anything.

• Responsible people are faithful with what they have been given (Matthew 25: 14-30)-Matthew 25:14 (NLT)“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.  Matthew 25:15 (NLT) He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.  Matthew 25:16 (NLT) “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.  Matthew 25:17 (NLT) The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.  Matthew 25:18 (NLT) But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.  Matthew 25:19 (NLT) “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.  Matthew 25:20 (NLT) The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’  Matthew 25:21 (NLT) “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’  Matthew 25:22 (NLT) “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’  Matthew 25:23 (NLT) “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’  Matthew 25:24 (NLT) “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate.  Matthew 25:25 (NLT) I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’  Matthew 25:26 (NLT)But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I  harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, Matthew 25:27 (NLT) why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’  Matthew 25:28 (NLT) “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver.  Matthew 25:29 (NLT) To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.  Matthew 25:30 (NLT) Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

When we are entrusted by God to do His work it is extremely important that we use what we are given to spread the gospel to everyone in the world so they too will know God.  In this parable, we see that we should not hide the gifts and talents that the LORD gives His Children.  We are to use all of our skills, talents, and gifts to serve Him according to each person's ability.  Otherwise it is considered disobedience, and thereby considered sin.  We need to avoid this.

• People are responsible for their decision about Christ (John 3: 18-19)-John 3:18 (NIV) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.  John 3:19 (NIV) This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

Each individual is responsible for their decision about whether or not they believe in Christ as the one and only true LORD and Savior.  If we do not believe we stand condemned.  This means that we are not considered Children of God.  We are therefore not heirs to His Kingdom in heaven.  Therefore God the father cannot decide a not guilty verdict on Judgement Day.  The verdict will be that God the Light of the world has come into the world, but, was rejected based on their selfish wills to continue in darkness and committing sin/evil before His sight.  This is very clear in that they are blatantly rejecting their only chance at salvation from the fires of hell.

• Responsible people know their abilities and limitations (Acts 6: 1-7)-Acts of the Apostles 6:1 (NLT) But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.  Acts of the Apostles 6:2 (NLT) So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.  Acts of the Apostles 6:3 (NLT) And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.  Acts of the Apostles 6:4 (NLT) Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”  Acts of the Apostles 6:5 (NLT) Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).  Acts of the Apostles 6:6 (NLT) These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.  Acts of the Apostles 6:7 (NLT) So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

​It is very important that people know their abilities and limitations.  We should not be in the habit of taking on more than we can handle, and we should know our place in any organization.  If you are called to be an apostle, you should not also take on the responsibility of the usher.  We should have people assigned to their respective posts, and carry out their tasks so that the leadership can handle their duty.

• People are responsible for their own actions (James 1: 13-15)-James 1:13 (NLT) And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else.  James 1:14 (NLT) Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.  James 1:15 (NLT) These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

Every individual must answer to the LORD for their own lives, conduct, speech, decisions.  So, what this is saying is that even when we are tempted, we cannot blame God for the temptation.  God cannot be tempted, and therefore He will not tempt man to do wrong.  Temptation comes from our own desires as human beings.  Many times these temptations drag us away into sin.  The desires can be so strong that they create many sinful actions by man.  When it is allowed to grow, meaning that it is not stopped, but accepted in the life of the person, it produces death, in the spirit and also in the flesh.  People begin to see illness taking over as a result of sin.

I hope this brief study on responsibility is as helpful to you as it is to me, we continue to pray for people all over the world today and always, and hope that if you have not yet made the decision to accept the LORD Jesus Christ as your personal LORD and Savior, but would like to, please say the prayer of salvation as follows: Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer.  May the LORD continue to bless you and your loved ones today and always.