"Responsibility"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #33 – “Responsibility”

            In the past few weeks, I have attempted to point out some of the responsibilities of the church and each of us as a part of that body.  This has been an effort to challenge each one of us to look closely at what our individual responsibility is and how we are stacking up.  It is not meant to discourage, rather to encourage us to focus our attention on the Lord and the ministry each of us should work at.  I am sure that we all fall way short of what we are capable of doing.  Because of the tremendous love for our Savior, it is important for each believer to take time regularly to assess his ministry, and then excel still more, just as the Apostle Paul encouraged his readers in Thessalonica.  “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.” (1 Thess. 4:1)

            This may seem difficult or even impossible to most.  I feel that the Apostle Paul was discouraged many times, because he was unable to do all he felt he should.  That seems to be evident in reading Romans 7:14-25.  We must not allow failure, in any degree, to stop us from continuing to serve our living God.  We have within us a power stronger than Satan.  We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us to empower us for whatever our ministry is to be.  There is no greater force than we already have to propel us on our victorious way.  Therefore, we must prepare ourselves to get on with it. 

            I read a comment one time about Elijah, that while he was living beside the creek Cherith, he was in the process of becoming; becoming effective for God in his ministry against Ahab and the Baal prophets. (1 Kings 17:1-8)  I believe that each one of us is also in the process of becoming.  We are today, in the process of becoming more than we were the day before.  Every day should bring more maturity and a better ministry for Christ.  God has gifted each believer with the tools he needs to be effective.  “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Cor. 12:3-7)We just need to allow the Holy Spirit to help us put those tools, or gifts, into use.

            If you are a believer, you are a minister of Jesus Christ.  That ministry is only as good, or as bad, as you choose to make it.  The choice is yours; let it be one which will honor God.         

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish