“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”
2 Timothy 4:3-5 NLT
There is a tendency in all of humans to shift responsibility. We do this by waiting on the actions of others. As Christians, our charge is to follow Christ regardless of the actions of others. As ministers, our call is to do this, especially in contrast to the actions of the world. The world teaches this message of shifted responsibility very effectively. This is where a majority of their alternative theories of origins, relationships, sexuality and God come from. They would rather participate in those than struggle through the implications of being made in his image. Our call, is to adhere. We do this by accepting that the responsibility of the truth comes its blessings. We rely on these truths to exorcise fear. We assimilate these into our daily life. Religiously, we discipline our character into incorporating them into our personhood. We let them define how we behave, speak, live and work. And lastly, we follow the commands of Christ diligently. When we do this, those promised blessings will cultivate in us as the fruit of the spirit. We will bloom into nutrition rich, shade giving pillars of our community. Better yet, the impetus to shift responsibility and lose the blessings will slowly fade as we accept more and more of who God calls us to be. Though the flesh is weak, may the spirit be willing.
JOSH McGARY. COM 