responsibility

Responsibility Matures You

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

 

 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned…For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.  Hebrews 6:4-12

Your salvation is a gift from God through the work of Jesus Christ. But what you do with that gift determines your destiny.

The gospel written by John emphasized a deep abiding relationship with Jesus is the doorway to life. As we walk with HIM, imitate HIM, learn from HIM, we become one with HIM. We begin to see the world through HIS eyes. As we grow and mature in the faith, HE bestows more and more of HIS riches upon us. The more blessings HE pours upon us, the more we can bless others with the same. HE is the source of life and purpose in everything we do worth our time and effort.

While as children, we depend on our parents for food, clothing, and shelter. We watch and learn from them how to cope with life. As we grow and seek out our independence, we slowly mature. Responsibility is given to us. As we fulfill our obligations, we gain confidence in our abilities to perform. We then take on more roles which impact the lives of others. Others begin to trust us. We learn to accept the responsibility of being held accountable for results.

Give a person no responsibility, and they will behave like a baby for their entire life. Give a person more responsibility holding them accountable, and they will grow in character. They will also be seen favorably in the eyes of others. People whose walk agrees with their talk are highly in demand. They are mature in their actions. Their service for others is noticed and praised. They don’t need to be told what to do. They are aware of the needs and concerns of those around them. They accept their strengths and shortcomings. Their confidence and assurance lead them to take action whenever necessary.

When a child of God takes up their cross, they are accepting the responsibility of trusting Jesus. As they learn to trust HIM in small ways, their faith grows. As they practice self-denial to follow HIM, they learn HIS Spirit is alive and active in their heart and mind. As trials and tests are thrust upon them, they lean on HIM to walk through the mess. They grow. They mature. They become more like HIM.

Some of us are wired to carry more responsibility than others. Some of us need less responsibility to grow. But we all need to be responsible for the gift given to us. Life is precious. Much prayer is required to keep tuned with the ONE who is maturing us unto eternity. Accept the responsibility of your calling and witness how HE shapes your life. Your destiny awaits you.   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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What Does God Want From You?

Dr. Mike 2025 , 
He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
    and to walk humbly with your God?   Micah 6:8

What does any caring parent want from their children?

From the day a young couple finds out she is with child; the family focus changes. The expectant mother re-prioritizes her life. The soon-to-be-dad senses the new responsibility of raising a family. Everything changes for the young couple. They begin to sacrifice their wants and desires for the sake of the expectant newborn.

When the birthday arrives, the miracle of life is overwhelming. A baby is held in the arms of each parent. The tiny fingers and toes are forever printed on your mind. This along with the entire structure of the child is for a moment a glimpse into the miracle of life. The bond between child and parent begins.

Each parent begins to grow from the maturing process of parenthood. Also in the process, the child follows suit and learns about her new world. The family culture is taking shape.

Over the years, the relationship between parent and child changes. At first the child learns at the feet of her parents. In his teenage years, the striving for independence begins. The process of discovering themselves and their relationship with others takes shape. As young adults, the relationship shifts again. No longer is the role a parent/child relationship. Instead, the interchange becomes more like an adult/adult one. Later in life, if fortunate, the shift happens again. The parent begins to act more like the child. The aging parent now needs the help of others to perform basic childlike functions. Yet through the entire process, the ideal is for love and honor from the child always remain in place.

As a parent, don’t we want an abiding, healthy relationship with our children? We may at times fail to communicate our desires. Our intentions may at times become confused. Circumstances may cause our plans to fail. But through the entire process, we appreciate their acknowledgement we did our best. That our sacrifice of helping them grow up was the best we could do at the time. We did what we knew to provide them the building blocks for life.

What does God want from you?

Maybe I’m just revealing the parent in me. But maybe all HE wants is the honor and love due HIM for HIS sacrifice. The opportunity to have a meaningful relationship with HIS children. To watch them grow and become faithful stewards within HIS family. To continue HIS legacy for others to witness. Could HE be like any parent who is pleased to see their child grow up and make a life worth living?

Yes, sometimes the rules and sub-structures get in the way. They form barriers for an abiding relationship with our heavenly Dad. I for one still enjoy being thrown up in the air and bounced on his lap. The thrill and trust that HE will always catch me is still there. And deep inside, I think HE still enjoys doing the same.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Accountability

Dr. Mike 2022 , , , ,

Colossians 3:23-24

 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Paul writes the above passage addressed to bond-servants. The Greek word is Doulos which is translated as slave or servant in various writings. The word bond-servant is more appropriate as it relates to those who are under the authority of an earthly master whether as a paid laborer or an indenture servant.

In Christ’ time it is estimated that 1/3 of the population were slaves and another 1/3 were slaves at one time but became free later in life. So, when Jesus spoke about the greatest being a servant for all rather than lording over people, HE was stretching the cultural norms of the day. In fact, Paul and other church leaders including Jesus’ brothers James and Judas likewise acknowledged in their writings they were bond-servants to Jesus.

So as Christ-followers, we have chosen to become bond-servants of HIS. We have accepted the position to be ultimately held accountable by HIM. Though meanwhile we also have earthly associates to hold us accountable. Though they may not be perfect like our Lord, and may not even know our Lord, and may even be against our Lord, we accept their authority in our life to maintain law and order in the land. However, if they require us doing something against the authority of our Lord, then we defer to HIM first and accept the consequences of the matter.

Our reward comes from Jesus. He is our Lord, and we are citizens of HIS Kingdom. Paul writes elsewhere that you and I are only ambassadors in a foreign land. Whoever opposes us on Christ’s behalf, opposes HIM and will reap the consequences of their decision.      

Meanwhile, we are all accountable to someone in this life. Whether our mates, parents, friends, employers, clients, HOA’s, or governments, there is someone we are answerable too. Even the hermit living alone is still accountable to some authority in their world. For example, the land they reside on is under some governmental jurisdiction. Without accountability, we are left alone with our human tenancies which eventually will lead to ugly and destructive consequences. Most human-to-human destructive actions are the result of human leaders left alone without accountability for their actions. Any person without a stronger accountability source is playing god without the innate character to manage the situation.

As a Christ-follower, we have a proven leader who conquered his human desires, established a government which allows all to flourish in freedom, and paved the way for all to participate. Our highest priority is to first serve HIM and introduce others to HIM. Our reward is from HIM. In every situation, we first seek HIS will. Whenever we fail HIM, HE disciplines us. But HE also showers HIS grace upon us and restores us in HIM. We serve HIM in all matters, even when we hold ourselves accountable to others.  

Count it all joy to have an accountability partner or group who helps you through the maze of life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Author of e-Books 

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