Personal Responsibility

Throughout the Scriptures and as is to be expected, God has consistently held individuals accountable for their actions. From back in Eden after both Adam and Eve sinned, we see God not punishing them collectively, but confronting and punishing them individually.  Even the tempter, the serpent, did not escape divine justice for its part in the fall.
 
From God's perspective, man's ability to choose brings with it the responsibility to explain one's actions or decisions. In other words, to be held accountable. Our Creator and Lord has given us the standards by which to live; standards that govern our relationship with Him and with each other. His words to the children of Israel echo across time to every generation since: "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19, KJV).
 
Inherent in this injunction is the accountability factor and the resulting consequence of the decisions we make. Obedience and wise choices bring life and blessings; disobedience and bad choices bring curses and death. It is no wonder Paul reminded the church in Corinth that it was not only consequences in this life we must be concerned about, but eternal ones as well: "For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body" (2 Corinthians 5:10, NLT). Notice "we must all stand before Christ"; all includes you and me, no exemptions.
 
In Eden, God did not accept Adam blaming Eve or her attempt at blaming the serpent.  So it was then, so it still is today. Try as we may, we cannot blame anyone for the choices and decisions we make no matter the degree of influence or provocation. We are ultimately responsible; we are individually accountable to God.

A Dishonest Man and His Enabling Wife

Ananias and Sapphira were members of the church. According to the narrative, they owned a piece of property which they sold, the proceeds from which would go to the church. However, Ananias, "with his wife’s full knowledge . . . kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet" (Acts 5:2, NIV). Peter, being full of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:4), had a word of knowledge of the dishonesty and challenged Ananias and his piety. Nobody had forced him to sell his land, he was not obligated to give any of the proceeds to the church, but having decided to keep part for himself and having brought the rest as if it was the whole, he had lied not only to the apostles and those present, but to God (v. 4). Luke writes, "When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened" (v. 5).

Three hours later, Sapphira came to the temple at which time Peter had only one question for her: "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” and without missing a beat she said, "Yes . . . that is the price” (vv. 7, 8). The narrative continues: "Peter said to her, 'How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband" (vv. 9-10). Such demonstration of God's power! It is no wonder "great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events" (v. 11).

A couple of things are worth noting: 1) Ananias' sin did not happen when he went to the temple. He sinned the moment he decided to keep back some of the money and pretend the remainder was the full price from the sale. 2) Sapphira's sin did not occur when she lied to Peter. The sin was when she purposed in her heart to agree and did agree with her husband in the deception. The consequences of their actions were the outward manifestation of what was already decided in their hearts. Lustful desire when conceived (in the heart) gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown gives birth to death (James 1:14-15).

Two reminders we can take away from this lesson: 1) we are individually responsible and accountable for our actions. Instead of agreeing with Ananias and lying when asked, Sapphira had two occasions when she could have removed herself from the deceit and possibly save herself; 2) we cannot blindly go along with what we know to be wrong, even if the other person involved happens to be a spouse. You cannot change the person's behaviour, but you are responsible for your own. In situations where decisions must be made, you get to choose; each decision carrying its own consequence one way or another. A look at graves of this couple, side-by-side in death as they were in the deception, should serve as a reminder. Choose wisely.

"If I Don't . . . You Can't"

Peter reluctantly agreed to let Jesus wash his feet, but only after Jesus responded to his persistent objections with the rather startling statement: “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.” (John 13:8, The Message). To the irascible fisherman that was unthinkable and so he relented: “Master! . . . Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!” (v. 9). In other words, do whatever is necessary for me to remain a part of what you are doing! In that moment, Peter surrendered his will for that of his Master.

Before that, what Peter thought and wanted did not line up with Christ's purpose. And of course, this was not the first or the last time we see this difference between the two (see Matthew 16:21-23), for example). However, in Peter's initial insistence in wanting Christ to do things his way, we see ourselves, in part, for who we really are. Like Peter, we see things from a human point of view instead of from God’s. We want to follow Christ, but on our terms. We want to worship, but on our terms. We want to pray, but on our terms. On Peter's part, until he came face-to-face with the reality that his desires and Christ's will were not the same, he was not prepared to give an inch of ground. With a resolve strengthened by strong feelings of disapproval, he made it clear: "You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!” (v. 8). The created dictating to the Creator; the disciple instructing the Teacher; the servant standing opposed to his Lord and Master.

Our relationship with Christ is one in which He sets the terms for the relationship. Yet, how many times have we tried to "manipulate" Him into doing things our way? Scripture reminds us, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails" (Proverbs 19:21, NIV). In that tense moment in the upper room, Jesus spoke words that not only resonated then but continue to resonate over two thousand years later: "If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing." In other words, "Peter, I hear your objections and I understand the reasoning behind them, but this is bigger than you. In fact, it is not even about you. You do not understand what I am doing now, but I am here to do the will of God and if you are going to be a part of what I am doing, you are going have to do it my way. You choose!" And we know how Peter chose.

What are your objections to Christ doing what He must do with you, in you, and through you to accomplish God's purposes in the earth and in your life? Like it or not, if Christ is Lord and Master there is no other way but His; the echo of His words still rings true: "If I don't . . . you can't." If you listen closely, you will hear Him speaking to you. Will you let Him?

"You Don't Understand Now..."

Peter was adamant that Jesus would not wash his feet. After all, washing the feet of guests was the responsibility of the house servant (see 1 Samuel 25:11), but as they were lying with their feet extended from the table, having finished supper, Jesus "riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded" (John 13:4-5, KJV). Undoubtedly, Peter watched all of this unfold with a sense of bewilderment, so much so that when it was his turn, he emphatically asked, "Lord, dost thou wash my feet?" (v. 6). On this verse the JFB Commentary observes: "Thus far, and in the question itself, there was nothing but the most profound and beautiful astonishment at a condescension to him quite incomprehensible. Accordingly, though there can be no doubt that already Peter’s heart rebelled against it as a thing not to be tolerated." However, Jesus was having none of it. Probably while looking Peter straight in the eye, He "answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter" (v. 7). In other words, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later" (The Message). The rest of the chapter provides a compelling narrative of how this exchange ended. For our purposes, the words of Jesus in verse 7 is of particular significance. Read them again, slowly. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our day-to-day living, we sometimes find ourselves in situations that leave us questioning ourselves and God. Whether it is suddenly losing a job, a loved one, being in a difficult relationship, having what seemed like a sure thing end in failure, an open door that closed without warning, a situation that seem to makes no sense, the leading of the Lord that is no longer clear, and whatever else, we like Peter are often times bewildered. Yet in our uncertainty and confusion, the words of Jesus to Peter are His words to us: "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." These words are not always easy to embrace, but as we struggle to make sense out of the incomprehensible, the still small voice persists: "Trust me. You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." Peter did not relent the first time. However, he did surrender to the wisdom of His Lord (vv. 8-9). And therein lies the rub, the challenge for all of us. Can we trust our Lord when we do not understand? Can we trust Him when we cannot see His way? Can we trust Him when nothing makes sense? As we stand at the crossroad of indecision, His words still ring true today as it did back then: "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." Do you trust Him enough to surrender your will and your way and embrace His will and His way? Do you trust Him that He knows what He is doing? Like Peter, we get to choose. We must choose.