I need to type a dirty word and I hope you all forgive me but it is needed for this article: "responsibility". In Leviticus 4 there is a section about unintentional sin, something which used to underpin UK law but which seems to be slowly removed if somebody "didn't mean to". (There is another section about unintended consequences too!). Anyway, if you are stopped speeding in your car, is your first reaction to say, "Sorry I didn't know, please let me off" or would you say, "Officer, I am in the wrong because I should have known the speed limit". We all say the first because we are naturally uncomfortable with responsibility unless it gives us kudos and fame. This is not surprising of course since we are by nature selfish people and anything which reflects badly on us is not good for our ego, especially if it isn't really "our fault". God reminds us however that we are responsible for our actions and to some extent to those under our authority. The 'punishment' might not be the same as for deliberate mistakes but the implication is still there.
How often do we examine our responsibilities before God and ask where we are not measuring up? Stewardship of our money and time, evangelism, commitment to God and His calling, our families and jobs. All of these things require a certain amount of responsibility and all of these reflect our character and need attention. How often then? not very often? Nope, me neither. Shame on me.
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