Getting up when knocked down #6  

Taking responsibility

By Pastor George Lehman

 

How many people can you think of right now that you know need to take responsibility for their lives? WELL.......

 

”Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it’s addressed to someone else.”  - Ivern Ball

 

Small straws in a soft wind by Marsha Burns: A word from God

Discouragement is a killer!  Beloved, everything touched by discouragement dies, and I speak of not only your health, finances and relationships.  But I speak of the responsibilities of your kingdom position and faith.  Refuse to allow negativity to keep you from the benefits of kingdom living.  Rise up says the Lord, take responsibility.



(Ephesians 5:26 ) - Paul talks about “being washed by the water of the word”.

Why do we wash?  Because we are dirty. Jesus wants His bride pure and clean when He returns for the wedding of the Lamb!

When we come together, God’s word wants to wash our false beliefs, our attitudes, misguided intentions and wrong perceptions.

God wants for us to take responsibility for our lives and walk victoriously.  Getting up when life knocks us down.

We increase our God-given ability, stability and responsibility when we increase our sense of accountability.



We must take personal responsibility for our lives.  We may not be able to change the circumstances, the seasons or the wind but we can by taking responsibility - change yourself.



2 Peter 1:10 (CSV) – Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure for if you practice these qualities, you will never fail.



Have you noticed our society has produced people who ignore their responsibility and blame others for their problems?

 

For example:

If you get into financial trouble – “It’s not my fault, it’s because of easy credit.”

If I develop lung cancer because of smoking – “It’s not my fault, I blame the cigarette companies.”

This happens in the church too!

We begin to become Critical, complain look for faults, become lukewarm, miss church services, home cell…

“It’s not my fault – it’s the churches fault – they’re hypocrites, they’re not spiritual enough, they don’t meet my needs, they hurt me or offended me.



The bible is very clear about our responsibility.

Romans 14:12 (NIV) – So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

 

Galatians 6:4-5 (Msg) - Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.



God is going to hold us responsible for choices we make.

It’s easy to dodge your responsibilities, but you cannot dodge the consequences of dodging your responsibilities.



Some definitions of responsibility.

Hebrew word in some places mean - “Burden” – in other words you may not always enjoy it, but you’re committed to it.  (Think of Jesus in Gethsemane) There is a cost that comes with taking responsibility.



The Greek word implies that you were “placed over something”.

When God saved you, He trusts you to take RESPOSIBILITY over that which HE has called you to accomplish.



The Webster dictionary means:  “You are totally dependable.”

A question to ask yourself “AM I DEPENDABLE” (Responsible people are dependable.)



Nothing adds ‘muscle’ to your talent and gifts like responsibility.

Sadly, responsibility is often the last choice people desire to take, and the results speak for themselves.



“Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility. In the final analysis, the one quality that all successful, significant people have is the ability to take responsibility.”  - Michael Kord

The most wonderful and priceless thing is to find a child of God who will take responsibility… who will finish and follow through to the final detail… to see someone who accepts his God-given assignment and lives it effectively and passionately.



Responsible people are reliable people.

 

Philemon 21 (Amp) – I write to you [perfectly] confident of your obedient compliance, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.



How to ensure you take responsibility.

#1 Decide right now, start wherever you are. Don’t wait another moment!

We become what we are as people by the decisions that we ourselves make.

Each time you take responsibility for your spiritual life, you become a more reliable and responsible person. Faithfulness begets faithfulness!

When it comes to responsibility, the best helping hand you will ever find is at the end of your arm.



#2 Part of the power of taking responsibility for your actions is that you silence the negative, unhelpful, unfaithful thoughts in your head.



#3 Every time you commit yourself to do what you should… you strengthen your self-discipline which increases your ability for responsibility.



#4 Never forget this if you want to go from success to significance “with great power comes great responsibility”.

It never ceases to amaze me how Christians want to be used mightily by God but never really want to take responsibility for the small details of their spiritual lives. You will never grow beyond your responsibility.



“A man who lacks reliability is utterly useless.”  - Confucius



It is easy to have ideas, comments and criticism when you take no responsibility.



It is very clear that God expects us to take responsibility for our lives.

Luke 12:48 - “But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”

This verse reminds us that with great blessings and privileges come greater responsibilities. God expects us to use the resources, talents, and opportunities He has given us wisely and responsibly

Colossians 3:23-24 (Amp) – 23Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men. 24knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).