Theme: Responsibility

The Lenten Season

Theme: Responsibility

By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel E James

Text: “Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to”.  1 Cor 7:24

Responsibility necessitates duty. Duty implies obligation. Duties vary according to our relationships. A person has duties to one's self, the family, the society and to God. Our supreme relation is to God and God's commands are always right, therefore our principal obligation is to God. Paul tells us about the things that are important. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).

There are many who shirk their responsibility. Many try to shift the responsibility to someone else. After the Fall, God asked Adam and Eve, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" Adam replied, “the woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate" (Gen 3:11-13). We see that this habit is transmitted to children as well. After Cain murdered his brother Abel, the Lord asked him, "Where is your brother Abel?" he replied, "I don't know, am I my brother's keeper?"  (Gen 4:9). Have we realized that we are responsible to God for the souls of others? Are we faithfully fulfilling our responsibility?

Responsibility includes accountability. We are held accountable for fulfilling or not fulfilling our duties. We are held accountable for every responsibility that is assigned to us. A student is examined to see whether he/she has fulfilled the responsibility of studying and preparing for the exams. The boss examines the job performed by his employees. If we are given money, we have to give an account for it. Hence, responsibility is a serious matter. In fact, after the Second Coming of our Lord, the final judgment has to do with this matter. Listen to these awesome words of Jesus: “I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt 12:36-37). Our careless or evil actions will be judged as well. Let us take time to examine ourselves to see whether we are fulfilling our responsibilities properly and in the right manner.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, as examine myself I am found wanting in fulfilling my responsibility. Please forgive me for my failures. Help me to discharge my duties faithfully according to Your will and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.