“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NIV1984). Responsibility is being accountable to God — obeying His commands. Our obedience will show up in our daily Christian walk by what we say, what we do and how we respond to others.
We cannot expect non-believers to be accountable for their actions — some are, some aren’t. We, however, answer to God and are expected to live lives that honor Him and stand as a testimony to those around us. The following Bible verses explain some of our Christian responsibilities:
• Taking Care of Family — “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (I Tim. 5:8). This isn’t talking about someone who works hard and still finds it difficult to make ends meet. This refers to someone who has the means to provide but chooses not to. It is our duty to take care of family in need, and only then can we truly minister to others.
• Encouraging Others — “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another…” (Heb. 10:24-25). We encourage others by our actions, what we say and what we do. It is our responsibility to uplift those who are low in spirit or facing difficult circumstances. We can do this by praying for or with them or by just holding their hand until their “storm passes by.”
• Living our Faith — Whether at home, at work, at school or anywhere else, living out our faith in Jesus will show up in our work ethic, our respect for others, our obedience to the laws of the land and our willingness to serve others. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Col. 3:12-14). This is our reasonable service.
• Confessing Sins — This is a big responsibility for Christians. Wrongdoing must be acknowledged and God’s forgiveness sought. Any person wronged by this transgression should also be asked for forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).
The Blame Game means that we don’t take responsibility for our own actions but cast blame on someone else. When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, Eve blamed Satan, then Adam blamed Eve. Their disobedience to God made them both guilty.
Comedian Flip Wilson made famous the saying, “The devil made me do it.” While Satan is a major tempter, he cannot make a person sin. We do it of our own free will. It is important to take responsibility for our actions and ask God to forgive us.
• Our Responsibility — We don’t always do what is right, but our goal is to become more like Jesus. It is unwavering obedience motivated by our love for Him and the eternal hope to which He has given us. Therefore, “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Col. 3:17). It is our Christian responsibility.
