One of the characteristics that most people today have in common is their refusal to accept personal responsibility for things that they have control over. It is not uncommon today to hear people give as their excuse for some failure in life one of the following:
1. I did not know how to do it.
2. I saw someone else do it that way and I thought it should be done that way.
3. Someone told me so.
4. I did not have time to read about the problem.
5. Someone made me do it that way.
6. I thought it was acceptable..
7. Everyone else believes that is right.
There are many other responses given for failures in life by many people today just like these listed. What is wrong with this list? It simply is a dodging of personal responsibility and a failure to accept the consequence for a bad decision or a bad choice when called to account for the failure.
In most all secular pursuits today, people are refusing to accept responsibility for their deeds, lifestyle, or economic condition. This attitude of refusing responsibility for personal actions is also a problem in many congregations today.
The Bible tells us that our eternal destiny depends upon our acceptance of personal responsibility for the things we do and for the way we live. Please observe the following Scriptural references that show personal responsibly is to be accepted if man is to please God:
Matthew 25:15-28 – “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.” (KJV)
Hebrews 5:8-9 – “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
CONCLUSION:
In reality everyone is responsible for the choices that they make in every arena of life. For every choice there are consequences, therefore when we accept responsibility for the decisions we make we will weigh the consequences before we make the choice. To consider well our choices and the possible consequence is a Biblical principle that everyone should incorporate within their actions toward choices in life (i.e., count the cost or consider the consequence well before committing to a position),that is an exercise in personal responsibility.