Our Responsibility

Dear Brethren,

What is our responsibility before God and man?  Once in a while we should stop and remember that we have exactly what this world desperately needs.  We have been given an earnest of God's Holy Spirit. Through His Spirit, God gives us the ability to begin to live our lives according to the principles of Jesus Christ.  Without His Holy Spirit, no one is able to live a Godly life.

"God hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."  (2Corinthians 1:22)

A tremendous responsibility has been placed upon us as a result of our having been given a measure of God's Life and Power.  What is that responsibility?   What does God require of us?  What criteria will He follow when judging those who will be in His Kingdom, and who will not?  What indicates to Jesus Christ that we are living our Christian lives the way he wants us to?

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  "(Matthew 25:40)

As Christians, our primary responsibility is to serve Jesus Christ by serving others.  We must always be doing everything within our power to help others to be in the Kingdom of God.  Let's also remember that a sizeable portion of God's Church goes to sleep just before the return of Christ.  That is a huge warning to us!  Serving the "least of these my brethren," takes personal sacrifice on each and everyone's part.  Paul put it this way:

"Brethren, I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service... that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."( Romans 12:1-2)

Jesus Christ does not ask us to do something He was not willing to do Himself.  He demonstrated for us exactly what it takes to be in His Father's Kingdom.  "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"(1Peter 2:21)

Large numbers of people were converted during the early days of the Church.  What was their disposition toward one another?  "And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people…"  (Acts 2:46-47)

Their example to us does not exhibit any competition or division. "One accord, and singleness of heart," indicates that they were serving each other, and that they were willing to overlook differences of opinion in order to enjoy profitable fellowship.  Sorrowfully, throughout the Churches of God today, we see anything but "one accord and singleness of heart"?  Will we have to answer to God for not breaking down the barriers that separate us?  What we are seeing, is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Matthew 24: 12.  "The love of many shall wax cold."

"Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ...  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God."  (Romans 14:10-12)

Too many of our brethren have unwittingly accepted a "corporate church religion" instead of a personal faith.  We are not allowed to neglect the, "least of these my brethren."  Some of our brethren now believe their Christian responsibility amounts to little more than identifying and defending the correct organization.  "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."  (Revelation 3:11)

How does God look at all this?  Jesus Christ has only one Body - One Church!  God does not recognize organizational boundaries.  He looks on the heart.  He regards all who have his Spirit as His children.  He loves them and continues to have a relationship with those who maintain their relationship with Him.

Remember that all who have and are led by God’s Holy Spirit are the Children of God – not just those within our immediate fellowship.  As we endeavor to keep ourselves doctrinally sound, let's be sure we are actually living our religion and faith.  Are we patient with those who do not understand, or have fallen into doctrinal error?  Do we  become involved and restore a brother who has shown unchristian behavior?   We are our brother's keeper - be they ministers or the least of the brethren.  "Open rebuke is better than secret love."  (Proverbs 27:5)

Let’s treat them as brothers and sisters in Christ, and keep them in our prayers.  And let’s do our very best to care for those of the "household of faith"- especially those who are scattered, homebound, or needy.

"What doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to revere the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul."  (Deuteronomy 10:12)

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Sermon:

"God is Light"