By: Sunday Eyanrin (Evangelist)
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INTRODUCTION
Brethren, taking a good reflection on the historical lockdown of our Nation during the “COVID”, restriction order was placed on movement, social distancing was the order of the period. We were cut off from all previous social activities.
Obviously, there were challenges to this type of social arrangement –including spiritual challenges. One of such challenge is that it is increasingly important for each of us to take personal responsibility for our faith and our standing before God.
Paul mentioned this idea in his letter to the brethren in Philippi: He declared, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
Responsibilities of A Christian
In this message we will be looking at the responsibilities and duties given to each Christian. Jesus has given us commands for how we ought to live our lives. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Apostle Paul declared “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
Once we become Christians, we are to be a new creature where all old things in our lives are to have passed away. Paul said the same thing in Ephesians 4:17-24 that we are to put off the old man and put on the new man. Let us look at the things that Christ has asked us to put out of our lives, and what things we are to be doing for God.
We Have Responsibilities Morally to The Lord and Those Around Us.
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:25- 32, 5:3 -7&12, the things that we are to put out of our lives. We are to put away: lying; prolonged sinful anger; stealing–rather give; corrupt communication; bitterness, wrath, anger, malice — instead be kind, tender hearted, forgiving, and walk in love;
fornication, uncleanness, covetousness; filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting — for it is a shame to even speak of those things which are done by them in secret. Here Paul tells us some of the things that we are to be cleaning out of our lives because we are now in Christ and no longer live for ourselves.
In Galatians 5:19-21 Apostle Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit declared, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Taking Responsibilities for Our Actions
- Every deed
- Every word
- Every thought
- Every of our attitude
- Every of our motive.
Whether we like it or not, we will all be Responsible for Every Deed (2Cor.5:10)
2 Corinthians 5:10 ‘’For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad’’.
In Matthew 12:36, it is written, But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
The Secret of Personal Responsibility
Personal Responsibility:
To be successful in personal Responsibility, you must be responsible for your actions. Personal responsibility is having integrity, and taking ownership for your actions. Doing the right thing will demonstrate being personally responsible and will result in a successful experience in life.
Personal responsibility is taking ownership of your thoughts and actions. In fact, personal responsibility is having integrity. What we mean by this is being trustworthy, to do the right thing all the time. For example, if someone is trustworthy they will do their own work, rather than copy someone else’s and turning that work in for a grade. If someone is to have integrity, they will also report any wrong doings that they are aware of. If you know of someone that is cheating and you do not report the incident, you are just as faulty as the other person.
Another example of personal responsibility is doing the right thing even though it may not be the popular thing to do. Accountability is another trait of being personally responsible. Being accountable means not blaming others for your choices or lack of choices. If you choose not to complete an assignment, it is your own fault and there is no one to blame. Being accountable for your actions or lack of actions will show that you are responsible. Without being responsible you will not be successful in your actions, which means that the best decisions for you were not made. You must relate responsibility to success in your place of work as well as in the society.
To Drive This Message Home, It Is Necessary That We Consider Some Biblical Examples of Personal Responsibility
The Parable of the Ten Virgins-Matthew.25:1 – 13
Jesus declared, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” Matthew 25:1-4. “And at midnight a cry was heard, ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’” Matthew 25:5-6. All the virgins could hear that call, and they all awoke and needed their lamps. They prepared their lamps, but for their lamps to burn brightly in the midnight hour, more oil was needed than what was already in their lamps. It was then that the foolish made the terrible discovery that their lamps were going out. it was dawned on them that they had made a grievous mistake, for not taking additional oil. And they tried to get oil from the wise virgins. But the wise didn’t have enough to supply themselves, and the foolish. The foolish had to go out to the sellers to buy more oil in their vessels. When the bridegroom came, it was too late to buy oil. Those who were ready went with Him. “Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” Matthew 25:11-12.
Lesson from The Parable
Brethren, what lesson have we learnt from the parable of the 10 virgins? we must realize that our eternal destination is determined by what you do now. Once you die, your eternity is sealed. Remember those who were ready went into the banquet and the door was shut. Those who were not ready were locked out.
Another lesson we can learn from the parable is that we must prepare for the second coming of Christ. matt.24:36. Remember, you are responsible for your eternal destination, Heaven or Hell, the choice is yours.
The Story of Esther
Who was Esther? She was a Jewess who was chosen by Persian King Ahasuerus to become his queen.
What did she do? Queen Esther used her influence to prevent the genocide of her own people. She discovered that an official decree had been issued that designated a specific day on which all Jews living in the Persian Empire were to be killed.
This evil scheme was the work of a man named Haman, who was the prime minister. (Esther 3:13-15; 4:1, 5) With the help of her older cousin, Mordecai, and at the risk of her life, Esther revealed the scheme to her husband, King Ahasuerus. (Esther 4:10-16; 7:1-10) Ahasuerus then allowed Esther and Mordecai to issue another decree, authorizing the Jews to defend themselves. The Jews thoroughly defeated their enemies. —Esther 8:5-11; 9:16, 17
Lesson from The Story of Esther
What can we learn from Esther? Queen Esther set an outstanding example of courage, humility, and modesty. (Psalm 31:24; Philippians 2:3) Despite her beauty and position, she sought counsel and help her people. When speaking with her husband, she was tactful and respectful, but bold. And at a time of great danger for the Jews, she courageously identified herself as one of them, and save the Jews from death. Esther’s personal Responsibility brought salvation to the entire Jewish Nation.
The Story gof Hannah
Who was Hannah? She was the wife of Elkanah and the mother of Samuel, who became a prominent prophet in ancient Israel. —1Samuel 1:1, 2, 4-7
What did she do? When Hannah was childless, she turned to God for comfort. Hannah’s husband had two wives. His other wife, Peninnah, had children; however, Hannah remained childless for a long time after her marriage. Peninnah cruelly taunted her, but Hannah prayed to God for comfort.
She made a vow to God, saying that if God granted her a son, she would give the child to him by arranging for the child to serve at the tabernacle, a transportable tent used by Israel for worship. —1 Samuel 1:11. God answered Hannah’s prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel. Hannah kept her promise and took Samuel to serve at the tabernacle when he was still a little boy. (1 Samuel 1:27, 28) Year after year, she made a sleeveless coat for him and took it to him. At the fullness of time, God blessed Hannah with five more children—three sons and two daughters. —1 Samuel 2:18-21.
Lesson from The Story of Hannah
What can we learn from Hannah? Hannah’s heartfelt prayers helped her to endure trials. Her prayer of gratitude recorded at 1 Samuel 2:1-10 reflects her deep faith in God. This is an assurance for Christians today, if only we have the faith that our God can answer our prayers if we ask in faith.
The Story of Ruth
Who was Ruth? She was a Moabitess who left her gods and her homeland to become a worshipper of Jehovah in the land of Israel.
What did she do? Ruth showed extraordinary love to her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi, along with her husband and their two sons, had gone to Moab to escape a famine in Israel. The sons eventually married Moabite women—Ruth and Orpah. In time, though, Naomi’s husband and two sons died, leaving three widows.
Naomi decided to return to Israel, where the drought was now over. Ruth and Orpah chose to go with her. But Naomi asked them to return to their relatives. Orpah did so. (Ruth 1:1-6, 15) Ruth, however, loyally stuck with her mother-in-law. She loved Naomi and wanted to worship Naomi’s God, Jehovah. —Ruth 1:16, 17; 2:11.
Ruth’s reputation as a devoted daughter-in-law and a hard worker soon earned her a good name in Naomi’s hometown, Bethlehem.
A wealthy landowner named Boaz was deeply impressed by Ruth and generously provided food for her and Naomi. (Ruth 2:5-7, 20) Ruth later married Boaz and became an ancestress of both King David and Jesus Christ. —Matthew 1:5, 6,16
Lesson From Ruth
What can we learn from Ruth? Out of love for Naomi and Jehovah, Ruth willingly uprooted her life. She was hardworking, devoted, and loyal, even in the face of adversity. A woman of great faith.
The Story of Lot’s Wife
Who was Lot’s wife? The Bible does not mention her name. But it does tell us that she had two daughters and that she and her family made a home in the city of Sodom. —Genesis 19:1, 15.
What did she do? She disobeyed the command of God. God had determined to destroy Sodom and the neighboring cities because of their gross sexual immorality. Out of love for righteous Lot and his family, who lived in Sodom, God sent two angels to escort them to safety. —Genesis 18:20; 19:1, 12, 13
The angels told Lot’s family to flee the area and not to look back; otherwise, they would die. (Genesis 19:17) Lot’s wife “began to look back, and she became a pillar of salt.”—Genesis 19:26.
Lesson from Lot’s Wife
What can we learn from the wife of Lot? Her story highlights the danger of loving material things to the point of disobeying God. Jesus cited her as a warning example. “Remember the wife of Lot,” he said. —Luke 17:32.
CONCLUSION
Beloved, remember that your salvation is in your hand.
Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58 declared: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
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