April 22 Personal Responsibility Galatians 6:7-8
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” (Galatians 6:7-8)
The one true and constant lesson, of my childhood, was that I must take full responsibility for my life, my actions and my own wellbeing. My mother would repeat these words, to the point that I wanted to scream, yet, she was determined to make sure that I was aware of the need for personal responsibility! “What you sow, you will reap!” “If you play with fire, you will get burned!” She, also, would tell me that “you are known by the company that you keep!” What does this have to do with anything? Amazingly, in our present age, personal responsibility has been replaced with a “Blame others for my misfortunes” mentality! I heard an interview, by one of the local news outlets, and the person interviewed stated clearly that she felt that others were responsible for her issues. She, however, was ready to take to the streets to march for “Social Justice!” What is “Social Justice?” Does this mean that everyone is the same, socially and economically? I can clearly remember an incident, where a friend of mind was involved, and we did a stupid thing and got caught! Quickly, I told Mama that it was David’s fault! “He made me do it!” Well, guess what? That’s correct! That didn’t work for Mama! I can still here those words of wisdom, just before the punishment began, “Don’t you have a mind of your own? Don’t you know right from wrong? You are responsible for your own actions! If you had not been in that situation, then, you would not be here today, about to receive your punishment!” When daddy arrived home, it was round #2. “Your actions are your responsibility and the consequences of your decisions, good or bad, are yours alone!” At that moment, I didn’t realize the real lesson for living. Every word, every action, every issue is my own responsibility and regardless of the difficulties and challenges and trials of this life, I AM FULLY AND WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN ACTIONS! As Christians, we, too, are fully responsible for our actions! God has called us to share the Good News and to live responsibly before all peoples. Be assured…”What you sow, you WILL reap!” Our society has adopted the mentality of “it’s not my fault,” and we are seeing the results of generations of “No Absolutes,” “No absolutely right and no absolutely wrongs!” There must be a foundation, a set of positive expectations to live by, and what greater and eternal foundation, than the Word of God? Regardless of how this Evil world chooses to live, we, as Believers, have a responsibility to life so others can see Jesus in us. Do you remember the 10 commandments? Not 10 suggestions…I wonder if this thing that is being sought, by so many, with zero personal accountability or responsibility, will ever be achieved? For this world and all of its inhabitants, there is only one source of “Justice,” and that is at the foot of the Cross! True eternal justice was provided for humanity the day that Jesus Christ shed His blood for our sins! I make mistakes and I have my moments, yet, I refuse to blame you! It is high time that we, as Christians, stop participating in this worldly game of “finger pointing,” and “Man-up” and take responsibility for our actions and the consequences for those actions! “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!