My Responsibility
Though my posts have been few lately, I had to find something to say. Find my voice.
Lucky for you (or unlucky for you) I got my voice and I have so much in my head...this should seriously be an interesting ride.
I have volunteered to help with our youth group. Last night I sat in with one of our small groups and we delved deeper into some of the recent scripture shared in the youth sermons.
Ezekiel 3:18 " When I say to a wicked person, 'you will surely die," and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them of their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood."
The questions presented with this verse were as follows:
1. What is our responsibility as Christians?
2. What is the penalty for not sharing the gospel with someone we know?
3. When and where does this responsibility start?
So here is my conclusions on this verse and the questions put to the youth.
1. To share the gospel and disciple others.
2. I'll come back to this one
3. Upon you realizing what your responsibility is as a Christian. I mean a real Christian following Christ and starting to produce those fruits of the Spirit. (I don't mean Sister-Suzy-Sunday morning, who acts the part for a few hours and does whatever the rest of the week. It has not clicked for her yet.) Our small group leader mentioned that clicking moment and it just makes sense. You don't click until you are seeking...at least I don't click till I am seeking.
Okay, so now the tough question. What is that penalty for not sharing gospel? A little background, I thought I was held accountable for saving people. After this lesson, I feel I am accountable for my effort. It is not my job to save anyone any more than it is my job to judge them. Those are God's areas of expertise. Loving others, reflecting my Lord and Savior, and sharing the gospel are my jobs. Helping to guide someone to the path of salvation is my job. Suddenly the fear of sharing my faith is diminished. Anyone who knows me well, knows I say what I think and no subject is off limits. (Seriously, no subject is off the table. I was a probation officer and worked in a prison...filters are not required, takes alot to shock me.)
So back to this penalty business. The blood is on my hands if I fail to share what I know of the gospel with you. I will be held accountable when I stand before my maker if I do not tell you what I know.
So what do I know? I'm not expert, so I know little in the grand scheme of things. What I know is God loves me. He sent Jesus to die for my sins. More than that Jesus had a measure of the human experience. (He was perfect, so not exact human experience, but pretty dang close.) Jesus experienced physical, emotional and mental pain. He experienced temptation. He questioned His father, but remained in His Father's will.
I know God still answers prayer. How? Because he has been answering alot of prayers in my circle. Healing of the body and spirit. Breaking addiction for someone I love. Bringing me into fellowship with other believers. So many things I have prayed for are being answered. Confirmation of divine intervention and direction. (The still small voice that yells into the ear of the hardheaded.)
God loves you too. Not because of anything you are doing or not doing, He loves you just as you are. He wants a relationship with you. You must be saved to enter into His kingdom and I would love to meet you there if not before.
I love to brag on my church. (It's awesome and brings me JOY) Check out www.centerbranch.org they have podcasts of our Sunday services and even a free app with access to a bible and reading plans. Seriously, check it out now, I'm done talking for now.
Talk to ya next time. God bless.
Lucky for you (or unlucky for you) I got my voice and I have so much in my head...this should seriously be an interesting ride.
I have volunteered to help with our youth group. Last night I sat in with one of our small groups and we delved deeper into some of the recent scripture shared in the youth sermons.
Ezekiel 3:18 " When I say to a wicked person, 'you will surely die," and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them of their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood."
The questions presented with this verse were as follows:
1. What is our responsibility as Christians?
2. What is the penalty for not sharing the gospel with someone we know?
3. When and where does this responsibility start?
So here is my conclusions on this verse and the questions put to the youth.
1. To share the gospel and disciple others.
2. I'll come back to this one
3. Upon you realizing what your responsibility is as a Christian. I mean a real Christian following Christ and starting to produce those fruits of the Spirit. (I don't mean Sister-Suzy-Sunday morning, who acts the part for a few hours and does whatever the rest of the week. It has not clicked for her yet.) Our small group leader mentioned that clicking moment and it just makes sense. You don't click until you are seeking...at least I don't click till I am seeking.
Okay, so now the tough question. What is that penalty for not sharing gospel? A little background, I thought I was held accountable for saving people. After this lesson, I feel I am accountable for my effort. It is not my job to save anyone any more than it is my job to judge them. Those are God's areas of expertise. Loving others, reflecting my Lord and Savior, and sharing the gospel are my jobs. Helping to guide someone to the path of salvation is my job. Suddenly the fear of sharing my faith is diminished. Anyone who knows me well, knows I say what I think and no subject is off limits. (Seriously, no subject is off the table. I was a probation officer and worked in a prison...filters are not required, takes alot to shock me.)
So back to this penalty business. The blood is on my hands if I fail to share what I know of the gospel with you. I will be held accountable when I stand before my maker if I do not tell you what I know.
So what do I know? I'm not expert, so I know little in the grand scheme of things. What I know is God loves me. He sent Jesus to die for my sins. More than that Jesus had a measure of the human experience. (He was perfect, so not exact human experience, but pretty dang close.) Jesus experienced physical, emotional and mental pain. He experienced temptation. He questioned His father, but remained in His Father's will.
I know God still answers prayer. How? Because he has been answering alot of prayers in my circle. Healing of the body and spirit. Breaking addiction for someone I love. Bringing me into fellowship with other believers. So many things I have prayed for are being answered. Confirmation of divine intervention and direction. (The still small voice that yells into the ear of the hardheaded.)
God loves you too. Not because of anything you are doing or not doing, He loves you just as you are. He wants a relationship with you. You must be saved to enter into His kingdom and I would love to meet you there if not before.
I love to brag on my church. (It's awesome and brings me JOY) Check out www.centerbranch.org they have podcasts of our Sunday services and even a free app with access to a bible and reading plans. Seriously, check it out now, I'm done talking for now.
Talk to ya next time. God bless.
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