Accepting Responsibility

Written by cycleguy on January 11th, 2011

I remember that as I was growing up, I would hear my aunt (actually my great aunt) talking about “a weekly constitutional.”  Yeah, that sounds inviting doesn’t it?  I think I actually thought is was her weekly reading of the Constitution.  🙂  Later on I found out it wasn’t.   Let’s just suffice it to say that I will not go into that.  This is the weekly installment of The Hole In Our Gospel hosted by my blog friends, Jason and Sarah. To find other writers who are involved in this project please go to Jason’s site for the widget.

I confess this is a really tough chapter to write about.  Not because it is so profound.  Not because there is a wealth of information to digest.  Not even because it is filled with profound thoughts.  I found it hard to write about because it is basically a letter to the American church.  I will let others possibly debate the validity of what Richard wrote.  I hope you won’t mind if I go wandering off on a side road for a short period.   No?  Great!  🙂  Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said:

Action springs not from thoughts, but from a readiness for responsibility.

You can take that quote several ways.  I will allow that for possible discussion among my fellow bloggers.  What I don’t think you can do is talk about the irresponsibility of placing blame on someone else.  Least I don’t think you can.  Then again…I have been known to be wrong a time or two before…  😛  I will tell you what did come to mind when I read that for the second and third and fourth time, is the whole idea of readiness.

Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25: 1-13 of the five wise and five foolish virgins.  I realize the penultimate (and right) interpretation of that parable is being ready for when the bridegroom comes.  Some will spiritualize the text and find some whacked out meaning to attach to it.  I don’t want to be guilty of that.  It is, plain and simple, a parable telling us the importance of being ready for when the Bridegroom (Jesus) returns.  Some will be ready and some will not.  Some will be ready and eager while some will be twiddling their thumbs thinking they have all day/week/year.   But I digress.  This quote by Bonhoeffer is not about that at all either. It is about being ready to spring into action and put our faith to work. To put our faith on the line, not so much in the lion’s den or arena idea, but in “see & act” mode.   See a need; move to meet it.  Stop leaving it up to somebody else to do it.  YOU DO IT!  TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY AND MOVE!  Get the lead of inaction and apathy and disobedience out of your feet and MOVE!  Do something.  Anything.  Anything that gives the message that Jesus loves them.  That may involve a cup of water, a coat, a visit, food, a hug.  What it will not involve is judgment.  Heaven knows they probably have already crucified themselves with enough of that already.  I simply cannot shake the last words of Jesus in that parable:  “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered, Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “ Even more haunting to me are His words in Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’ ” (You know they are important to read since they are in red).

In all seriousness, that hits me right where I live.  Action requires being ready to take responsibility instead of “He/she can do it.” Instead of the old standby: “Who me?” The correct answer would be “Yes you.” Will you accept the challenge?  What are your thoughts on this topic?  Maybe I have misunderstood this quote.  If so, please feel free to say so.  If you want to add more then please do so.  I welcome your thoughts.

 

25 Comments so far ↓

  1. jasonS says:

    You know, I had to read that quote several times before it sank in. In reality, it probably directed my thinking in the writing of my post than I realized (until I read your post). 🙂 We have to be ready for the truth or nothing changes in us or others. God has a lot of ways for getting us there, but we seem to be able to deny Him a long time. I’ll just say that I want to be ready to run with everything He’s given me.

    I love your thoughts here, Bill. Thank you as always for being a part!

    • cycleguy says:

      I like what you said here Jason: “We have to be ready for the truth or nothing changes in us or others.” That is so true. Can’t wait to read yours. Thanks for swinging by here.

  2. Tony Alicea says:

    Another thought: I think we use the word “try” as a crutch. It makes me think of Yoda’s quote: “Either do or do not, there is no try.”

    • cycleguy says:

      Good point Tony. Sort of like the “I Can’t” syndrome. First time I have heard Yoda’s quote. (Sorry I am not a Star Wars guy). 🙂 Thanks for the comment.

  3. Duane Scott says:

    I was feeling all cocky when I landed on your blog and saw the title. I was like, “I got out of bed early and have been working all day.”

    Then you wrote.

    And I read.

    And I have so much room for improvement. 🙂

  4. Michael says:

    That quote is very convicting. Especially, after earlier today. I missed an opportunity to work, because I wasn’t ready to share. I know God opened a door today, but I wasn’t ready.

  5. Jason says:

    “See a need; meet it.” That’s a good way to live life.

  6. Ike says:

    “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.’

    I heard Johnny Mac say one time that your profession in Christ means “nothing”. It’s not what you say….but what you do!

    In Matthew chapter 7 it makes it very clear who the “few” are. They are not all the other religions of the world. They are not the athiests. What He is saying is that of all the people who “emphatically” call me Lord..”Lord,Lord”….of these people only a “few” are genuine. Now that is frightening!

    We do not believe in a works salvation….but we can’t get around the fact that a genuine faith….works! That means “us”. As you have quoted…”the ones who does the will of my Father”. “We” better be taking responsibility…and I certainly include myself!!!

  7. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    I read Matthew chp 25. This was difficult for me to try and find some kind of understanding of the parables given in this chapter.

    The only thing I thought of was,
    The virgins and oil are related to the bridegroom and the virgins’ prior preparing or purchase of additional oil (which they carry with them) pays off after they wake up from a long sleep. They go straight into a wedding banquet with the bridegroom.

    The parable of the servants with the talents seems to be related to gain or increase. In this case money or possessions of the master of the house. They enter into the joy of the Lord. (This is their works I think).

    The last parable is of a King and nations and peoples. the dividing of sheep and goats, based on what they have already done for the brothers of the King. He says they have done these good deeds unto him. (are these good deeds toward other believers?) Are unredeemed people brothers of Jesus?

    this is about all I have. 🙁

    • cycleguy says:

      Linda: The parable I used is the first one. I think you are reading more into it than needs to be. i will make a brief comment though about the others. The second: I believe it is talking about using what we have been and being faithful with it. Third: Not a parable. My answer: No. Thanks for the comment.

  8. Zee says:

    Seeing the title of your post made me pause for a second 🙂 If you have seen my latest blog post, you’d understand the reason 😀

    Your post and challenge reminded me of Isaiah… when God asked “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”, Isaiah didn’t just stand there and stare, he said “Here I am, send me.”

    May we all have Isaiah’s willingness to be used by God.

    • cycleguy says:

      Zee: can’t wait to read your latest. You usually write something I gain from. But I like your reference to Isaiah. I love it when people see things I don’t. Thanks.

  9. Jim F says:

    I think you hit the nail on the head with the meaning of the quote. I did an instillation of Deacons on Sunday and challenged them to be servant leaders. To accept the responsibly that comes with position. The same is true of all of us – we are all called to be servant leaders. In other words – show leadership through our service.

    Thanks Bill.

  10. <>You mean…As God’s children, we are responsible for doing God’s work? But…I thought all I had to do was make a profession of faith, be baptized, and fill a pew on Sunday mornings… Now you tell me, there is work to be done? I have to respond to the needs around me and help meet them out of love…not my own notion of love, but out of the love of God? <>

    This world is in desperate need of God’s love. We have been commissioned as the body of Christ to be His love to the world. It’s time for us to accept the responsibility and to do it.

    • cycleguy says:

      I am trying to figure out how to answer your questions Dusty. A little bit rusty. 🙂 You hit it hard though: many do feel that all they need to do is make that profession, etc and they are done. What a difference we would make if we saw more. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

  11. God so loved, He gave…
    Can we do any less? Great thoughts bro’

    From now on, any definition of a successful life must include serving others. ~ George Bush

  12. lindaM says:

    Hi Bill,
    I am thinking further about the virgins and the oil in Matthew. I think if we look at Jesus, he is typed in Scripture as the bread and the wine.

    The oil represents something else in this parable besides the accepting of the body and blood of Jesus Christ as our redeeming sacrifice. I think then that this parable is not about salvation per say, but about something important related to and imperitive to being able to respond and go into the banquet with the bridegroom.

    This matter is being typed in this parable as dependant on having sufficient oil in lamps.

    What represents oil in scripture and how was oil used at that time. My concordance says that oil was used for 1)anointing the priets and kings, 2)for burning in the lamps, 3)in offerings

    Are lamps our wittness as God’s people. The light?

    I guess it’s time to try and do a little bit of a study on this. Has anyone done a study? What do you say the oil is a represention of in Matthew’s account?

    There is also a time factor here in this parable. It appears that the foolish virgins have the ability to go and get more of this oil. It appears that there is an ability for the wise virgins to supply the foolish virgins with some oil, but they say ‘no’. They aren’t sure how long it will be before the bridegroom opens the door and they don’t want to be out of oil before that happens.

    Just some thoughts.

    • cycleguy says:

      Linda: IMHO I think you are reading more into this parable than needs to be. I believe it is a story of the 2nd coming of Jesus (Bridegroom) and that the bride (church) needs to be ready for whenever that is. When He comes some will be ready and some will not. Anyone else can feel free to weigh in on this if you care.