Why do I think we are responsible? And responsible for what? The following 3 points underscore my belief and the reasons. Being a Christian is not something that we sit on our ‘laurels’ since we are saved. We are expected to be and to do. The Lord chose to work through us in His creation… we have been invited into a wonderful adventure.
- Everyone – 2 Timothy 2:15
This is not a suggestion or option, and not for just the ‘professionals’ ALL are told to study to show yourself approved. Why? So that you can show yourself as: “…a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
We are told to do this so that we are equipped to be, live, work, act, do in our world. Our world. Sometimes and some of us are called to the professional ministry, but the reality is that we are all called to be His Ambassadors (2Corinthians 5;17-21). The more we know and understand, the more effective we will be.
2. Given and expected – Luke 12:48 “
From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”
So what is it you feel the Lord has called you to do? First, do you feel you are equipped to do what He has called you to? Never forget: the Lord never calls us to something that we aren’t able to do, for which He hasn’t already equipped us. No, we shouldn’t do go off without this assurance. And yes, we may not have all the ducks or they aren’t in a row, but if the Lord calls you to it….. He will equip you to do it.
“Now may the God of peace…equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, …” (Hebrews 13:20-21, AMP)
This confirms His equipping and how we accomplish the ‘mission’ – “through Jesus Christ”.
3. Gift – Proverbs 18:16
“A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great”
Don’t focus on the ‘great’ – the point is your gifting is what makes you visible to others and provides your entry. You don’t have to push your way into (fill in the blank) but don’t shirk from expressing your understanding. We all have a gifting:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
Does someone else have the same gift? Probably. That’s not the point. We ALL are His handiwork that God prepared just for us to accomplish. When we act as if we have no gift or its significance is not great or someone else can do what we are asked… never the reasons, never the focus. We have been created to do good works… just not apart from the Lord (John 15:4).
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1Peter 4:10)
I have shared only these 3 points regarding our responsibilities, but they are sufficient. They underscores that we ALL are responsible. And that we can be successful when we act confidently in faith.
