Responsibility

And the Lord replied, “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. [Luke 12.42]

Responsibility is a big word. Frankly, it is all too often overlooked by Christian people in the name of grace. However, that does not remove responsibility!

Understanding the Kingdom means several things, but here below are three essentials. 

First, understanding the Kingdom means to comprehend that God transcends everything we can imagine and is therefore responsible for, and has authority over, everything. 

Next, understanding the Kingdom means to comprehend that through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was given that authority and responsibility over all:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [Matthew 28.18]

And thirdly, understanding the Kingdom means to comprehend that faith in Christ, and receiving the gift of the same Holy Spirit that signified His authority, transfers all the authority of God, through Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to us.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28.19-20]

Why did Jesus say, "Therefore, go...?" Because He had just said 'verse 18 above - because He had "all authority" - and so He transferred that same authority to His followers!

How do we know this has happened? Simple: a tree is known by its fruit. Look at this previously blind-from-birth sinner's response to the Pharisee's accusation that Jesus was a sinner and they didn't know where He came from:

“Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” [John 9.30-33]

Jesus said very clearly that His disciples would do what He did:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

And later, Jesus revealed in a prayer to God:

Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. [John 17.18]

You see, there IS responsibility for the true believer. The "easy grace" teachings out there sound nice isolated to a few select scriptures. However, when taking into account the whole of Jesus' teachings, there is no "easy grace." There is, in fact, a cross to bear, and work to be done - there is responsibility. 

Of course, with that responsibility, there is all the power and authority of heaven...

Father, help me to walk in the responsibility You assigned me when I believed in Jesus and You filled me with the Holy Spirit. Help me to comprehend that "all authority" means all power, and "all power" requires enormous responsibility...