LIVING A RESPONSIBLE LIFE
These are certainly trying times, if not in the realm of finances, then mentally, if not mentally, physically, and if not physically, spiritually. In one fashion or another, countless people throughout the world are being challenged to stay in the fight of faith, fulfilling their purpose and destiny in God. While we are fully aware that we have an arch enemy who relentlessly goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, we must be careful not to give him too much credit for many of the unfortunate circumstances in life. On the same token, we also need to be careful not to shift blame to God, as if He finds pleasure in squeezing us until we cry out, “uncle!”
Much of the Christian perspective has placed the body of Christ in the corridor of life, with the enemy on one side and God on the other. As a result, we are left with the feeling that if we are not being pounded by the enemy then we are being tested by God. It’s like saying, “One way or another you’re going to feel pain”, the question is; who is the instigator, “friend, or foe?”
I don’t know about you, but this just seems like a very warped way of living. As we stand between two forces that appear to be battling for the hearts of humanity, it is important to realize that we have been given the power of choice. Everyday we are surrounded with conflicting circumstances and the only way to maneuver our way through them is with the wisdom and understanding of God. The reality is this; just because something goes south in our life, meaning that it doesn’t pan out the way that we hoped, doesn’t necessarily make it the work of the enemy or God. This is not to imply that our decisions in life are not without influence one way or another. However, at the end of the day, the decision is ours to make. As long as we live in this age, we will always have an adversary and we will always have the counsel of the Holy Spirit.
One of the greatest challenges facing the body of Christ today is learning how to navigate through life with the heart and mind of God. I am convinced that much of the decision making in life has been influenced less by the Holy Spirit than we realize. If you stop to evaluate the process of your decision making, I’m sure you will discover, as I have, that many of our choices in life are based on our priorities. Oftentimes these priorities are coated with strong conviction and purpose. Some priorities are simply based on wants and desires. For the most part, I think it’s fair to assume that most committed Christians are not intentionally trying to sabotage themselves with any kind of failure. Unfortunately there are many choices in life that produce an outcome other than what we were expecting.
THE RESPONSIBLE THING TO DO
So what do we do? What do we do when things in life don’t turn out the way we hoped they would? Without negating that we have a dark adversary attacking us from every side, or, that trials and tests are a real part of our life, I think the mature thing to do is take responsibility for our actions. We are too quick to place blame one way or another, simply because it lessens the impact of responsibility.
Once again, this does not mean that our final dilemma was not somehow influenced by deceptive actions of the enemy, but the enemy’s deception is just that, deception; an influence, if discerned properly, can be avoided or overcomed.
Unfortunately we live in a society that is bent on becoming less and less responsible for its actions. When hard times come, we all want to be rescued or bailed out. However, whether positive or negative, consequences of choices are a real part of life. I am so thankful for mercy and grace, whereas without, I would not be here today. I don’t know about you, but I am the first one in line for instant relief whenever it pertains to my physical or spiritual well being.
Yet, we know "instant relief" is not always the case, in fact, more and more, it is not. If we are to become the intended influence of God in the earth, then we have to become more responsible for our own actions. Contrary to popular belief, we can take responsibility for our actions without feeling condemned. We can be delivered from the consequences of poor decisions without giving ourselves over to shame and ridicule. In the end, “All things still work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
Like many of you, I am dealing with some unpleasant circumstances in my life. My first inclination is “divine intervention” however, my heart cry is, “divine wisdom and understanding.” I know the first will rescue me, (Yeah God!) making the weight of my circumstances lighter; faster. The second will enable to me to be responsible, thus having more power and dominion in the earth.
LIVING A HEALTHY PROSPEROUS LIFE RESPONSIBLY
On the heels of every divine intervention is the hope that we will act more responsibly. It goes without saying that all of us want to live a strong healthy life. Personally, I don’t want to live over a hundred years if I can’t live a strong and healthy life through all of them. I don’t want to just exist; I want to have life, life more abundantly.
John quotes Jesus saying, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
As always, the words of Jesus are spoken with great purpose. He did not say, I came so that they “may live,” but rather, “they may have life, life more abundantly.” In fact John uses the phrase, “have life” in John 5:26, 5:40, 20:31, &1John 5:12. The phrase, “they might have” comes from the Greek word “echo” which means to “hold or possess.” You can live life without ever possessing it. You can exist in life without ever laying hold of your purpose and destiny. I believe one of the keys to possessing life is through the act of living responsibly. This means that we respond sensibly according to the heart and mind of God in any given circumstance.
Without question, many of our health issues are the direct result of not living responsibly in the areas of nutrition. Healings and miracles of God are designed to restore the people of God to the road of abundant living. Once restored, we must act in a responsible manner in order to possess life more abundantly. One vital way for the body of Christ to enter into the promised longevity of life is through its willingness to eat smart and healthy.
The Robert Wood Johnson foundation http://www.rwjf.org/ reported that obesity increased in 37 states over the last year and no states reported any decrease. It is estimated that 23 million children are overweight or obese and the numbers are rapidly growing. While there are many reasons for these alarming numbers, acting as responsible adults is high on the list.
It goes without saying that the economical condition of our society is the direct result of living irresponsibly. While some are willing to take responsibility for their actions, many are not. The result is a continual attempt of the enemy to undermine the health and wealth of this nation through those who have given themselves over to one deception after another. Though many are postured toward immediate intervention, others know that the real stability of this nation is dependent upon a leadership who is willing to take responsibility for their actions, thus lending their hearts and minds to the leading of God’s Spirit.
On completion of this article I want to make it clear that I am not implying that every negative circumstance in our life is the result of acting irresponsible. History shows us that wrong things can happen for the right reasons. The life of Job was brought to center stage because he was a righteous man. Jealousy threw Joseph into a pit only to serve the intentions of God for the entire world. Jesus was declared guilty, when in fact; He was the most innocent man ever to walk the earth. So, in light of those who remind us of the trials and tests of life and the awesome rewards of obedience, may we endeavor all the more to become a generation that is willing to live a responsible life.
.jpg)
.bmp)
.jpg)
PRINT/SAVE
EMAIL
.bmp)
.bmp)
