Monday, September 9, 2013

The Christian Responsibility

We've looked at Christian Hope, Christian, Calling, and Christian Experience.
As well as the blessings, privileges, favors that come with them. - Example:  Eph. 1:7-8 - 'lavished'

BUT NOTE:  with great privilege comes great Responsibility!! 
1 Pet. 1:1-2, 2:9, 10-12, Eph. 2:8-10, John 15:16
Privilege is a gift of God.  We're created to do good works.  Chosen, called, graced for obedience.

Point:  if you're a Christian, God has chosen you, called you, granted you special blessings, privileges.  BUT, with special privilege comes special responsibility!

Examples: 
Privileged with stuff?  (material, monetary) - then responsible to share.  1 John 3:17
Privileged with the Gospel?  - then responsible to share - Matt. 28:19-20 - Great Commission
Privileged with giftedness?  then responsible to share - 1 Cor. 12:7
So........Rom.12:5-8

Words of Jesus:  Matt. 10:7-8,  Luke 12:48 - from everyone who has much, much will be required

REPEAT!!!  with the great privilege of being called, chosen, blessed, graced, comes great responsibility!! 

Because we are called, we are obligated to:
1)  live a godly life (previous texts)
2)  forgive others - Col. 3:12-13
3)  care for our family - 1 Tim. 5:8
4)  pull our weight - 2 Thess. 3:10
5)  be a good steward - Matt. 25 - parable of the talents
Many more examples could be named

Your Christian Obligation must be:
#1.  Self-imposed - God defines it, doesn't demand it.  - still have own choice
We are called, invited, expected to be responsible, BUT it is not required, decreed 
We are "Obligated by grace". - 1 Cor. 15:9-10 - to all people, Rom. 1:14 - because of grace given

#2.  (occasionally) Re-imposed.
It's easy to drop, drift, ignore, deny - especially when worn out. 
So...

#3.  Carefully selected
On one hand, not responsible for all things, all people
However, are responsible for some things, some people

#4.  Properly directed - by Christ, not people
ie:  your obligation first and foremost is NOT to people but to Christ!!!
John 21 - "love me??  feed mine"

This responsibility, obligation to Jesus as Lord...... can be shirked, BUT it cannot be denied.

So......... John 21:20-22 - to respond to Him as Lord.  This is our Christian Responsibility - "Obligation by Grace"

No comments: