Responsibility

A police officer stopped a young lady for speeding and asked her very nicely if he could see her driver’s license. She replied in a huff, “I wish you guys would get your act together. Just yesterday you took away my license and now today you expect me to show it to you!” * Teacher: “Joel, if you don’t shape up and stop clowning around, you will spend the afternoon in my detention class.” Joel: “But I can’t! I have baseball practice this afternoon.” Teacher: “Listen, mister. You have a choice of which bat you’re going to spend the afternoon with. Choose wisely!” * By the time Bobby arrived, the football game had already started. “Why are you so late?” asked a friend. “I couldn’t decide between going to church or going to the football game. So, I tossed a coin,” said Bobby. “But that shouldn’t have taken too long,” said the friend. “Well, I had to pray and toss it 35 times.”

When we talk about responsibility we are not necessarily talking about authority and being subject to it. When talking about authority there is a necessity to talk about those who defy it. The Christian has a duty to be submissive to constituted authority.

CIVIL RESPOSIBILITY * The powers are ordained, not the rulers (Romans 13:1-7). God doesn’t ordain the rulers; He does the power. Defying of governmental powers reflects the attitude of the individual. The form of government does not affect the duty of obedience. Monarchies; Republics; have in them alike the ordination and power of God for the welfare of society. There are, however, limits to this obedience - we ought to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). When man wants me to do something that is in violation of the will of God, I have no choice but to obey God. Words of this text imply that the duty was already known. What about speed limits? What about if we don’t like the law or if we think they are antique and outdated? Obedience stands until laws are changed.

RESPONCIBILITY TO SELF * Who is the authority in your life (Romans 6:16)? Christianity covers all spheres of our life; civil, social, moral, and spiritual. There are rebels who abuse themselves and dress in unusual ways. They are trying to be different by going against the grain, doing their own thing. Many today are trying to get Christians to confirm to the world. We must be transformed (Romans 12:2). We can only do this through diligent Bible study and prayer. We must be convinced that “…He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

RESPONSIBILITY TO GOD * Be careful to maintain good works …works that have the right motives …works that have the right standard. A man can have the right motive, but his works be bad (i.e., supporting the church with ill-gotten gains). Our works should present the right influence (Romans 14:5-8).

RESPONSIBILITY TO STAND AGAINST ERROR * Christians have a responsibility to stand up against error. First, errors must be identified. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16). What a person says and does reflects whether or not there is error present. The Bible uses the word “heretic” to describe a false teacher. All heretics can be divided into three classes. * The theoretical believer – does not believe what others believe and maintain. * The professional believer – declares his faith every Sunday, then denies it in his life. * The practical believer – is those who are insincere. They do not act according to their own convictions.

Today, responsibility is terribly lacking. Christians should lead the way by taking responsibility for all their actions. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).