LifeWords 30/9/2010



CONCERN OR RESPONSIBILITY?



Read Acts 18:5-6



5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."



People who want to help people sometimes confuse concern and responsibility. It is right to be concerned about someone’s welfare, right to be concerned that they are going off track. It is right to seek to address this issue with them, to warn, to counsel, to encourage. But is it right to ultimately accept responsibility for them? Is their destiny in my hands?



Paul had no illusions about the limits of his responsibility. He took care to preach the gospel to Jewish people in Corinth. This was his proper concern and also his responsibility. He might have been concerned at their negative response but was not responsible for it. He didn’t take the blame for their rejection of the message. He could only share the message, not guarantee an outcome.



Whenever we make our concerns also our responsibilities we risk taking on too much. I may be concerned that my friend is sick, but I can’t take responsibility for making them better. I may be concerned my family member has turned their back on God, but I can’t take responsibility for their repentance. We simply can’t take that weight on ourselves: it will break us and actually cause us to even lose legitimate concern for them.



We can warn, we can help, we can pray, we can advise. We can’t take ultimate responsibility. Only God has the whole world in his hands, and on his shoulders.



Blessings David



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