There is a saying that was made popular by Uncle Ben Parker in the Spider-Man movies: “With great power comes great responsibility”. Tracing it back, the passage appeared with a date of May 8, 1793 in a collection of the decrees made by the French National Convention, “Ils doivent envisager qu’une grande responsabilité est la suite inséparable d’un grand pouvoir” – roughly translated “They must consider that great responsibility follows inseparably from great power.“
Prominent American leaders such as Lord Melbourne, Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt made similar statements in later years.
I believe Jesus coined it first however in Luke 12:48, when He said: “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”
So let’s talk about responsibility.
1. Various Responses
The Bible is full of examples for us of how people responded to responsibility. Responsibility was either accepted, delegated or denied.
People who accepted their responsibility includes Noah when he built the Ark (Gen 6:22), Joseph over Potiphar’s household (Gen 39:4), Solomon, not David, who was charged to built the Temple (1 Chr 22:1-10), and of course Jesus, who “humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Phil 2:8).
People who delegated their responsibility include Moses who delegated leaders to judge (Ex 18:24-26), the Apostles who delegated responsibility to seven men (Act 6:3) and also to Elders in Acts 14:23 “Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”
People who denied their responsibility include Adam and Eve after eating the fruit (Gen 3:11-13), Aaron after making the golden calf (Ex 32:19-24), Saul after not completely destroying everything of the Amalekites (1 Sam 15:15) and lastly the chief priests and elders: “When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.” (Matt 27:3-5)
2. General Responsibility towards God
People have an immediate responsibility to God, and even though God is Sovereign, all people everywhere are accountable to Him for everything they do, say or think. The Bible makes it very clear that God is not responsible for human sin, each person is responsible for their own sin and the result of sin is death (Rom 6:23).
Paul makes it clear that the law elevates human responsibility for sin: “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were…” (Rom 5:20). Because the law brings knowledge of sin, it prevents people from claiming ignorance of the nature and seriousness of that sin. Jesus said that He did not come to abolish or nullify the law but to fulfill it, and taught us that the law not only applies to our actions but also to our words and thoughts. And for those who do not put their trust in Christ, the same law will bring judgement one day – Romans 14:12 says “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God”
Ignorance does not remove people’s responsibility, Romans 1:20 says “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
But just like the law elevated humanity’s responsibility for sin, the life and ministry of Jesus Christ elevated humanity’s responsibility to repent. John said: “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.” (John 3:18-21) So people everywhere has a responsibility towards God with what they do and say, but…
3. Responsibility towards God’s World
All of humanity also has a moral responsibility under God towards one another, whether as national leaders, ministers, spouses, parents, children, believers or simply as human beings. The Bible tells us that national Leaders have a responsibility to reward good and punish evil, and to administer justice.
Ministers or Christian Leaders have the responsibility of caring for believers and to preach, teach and handle the Scriptures properly. Those who are married have a responsibility to love and honor each other. Parents have responsibility towards their children, and likewise children have responsibility towards their parents.
But every believer has the responsibility to represent Jesus Christ in the world. Are we not the salt of the earth and reflectors of His light?
In 2017 research was done by the BARNA group which looks at the world the Church finds itself in year after year. There were interesting discoveries within proper context, reflecting on some shallow Christianity.
According to the research, Millennials are moving away from institutions because of a growing mistrust of organizations such as government, universities and churches. The latest trend is “Forget the Church, Follow Jesus”, and there has been an increase in the “spiritual but not religious” groups. Millennials in general have become skeptical of the Bible as God’s inspired Word.
Some strange beliefs has already entered the Church, and although 8 out of 10 Millennials believe Jesus was a real person, younger generations are increasingly less likely to believe Jesus was God, and only half of Americans believe Jesus was sin-less!
Millennials are looking for more from Church. 30% of Millennials say that attending Church is not at all important and give reasons such as: “It’s not relevant to me”, “I find God elsewhere”, “Church is boring”, “It feels like God is missing from Church”, “I don’t like the people”.
Industries and sectors within cultures are undergoing tremendous changes as digital tools and other factors produce an effect so important it calls for seven syllables. It is called dis-in-ter-me-di-a-tion. This word describes how people are renegotiating their relationships with institutions and how the flow of goods find an unmediated path to consumers, in other words “to cut out the middle man”. Pastors are also affected by this as they are by virtue mediators or representatives of God’s kingdom on earth, yet their traditional role are met with much skepticism, largely due to past mistakes.
Pastors once held an esteemed position in the public eye, but people are renegotiating their relationships with spiritual authority. Pastors traditionally mediated spiritual truths and knowledge to seekers, but now people are more likely to consult Twitter, search Google or ask AI. According to BARNA, a career in ministry might have appealed to any leader who sought recognition and respect. But today however Christian ministers are as likely to be ignored and insulted as they are to be admired and revered.
But despite these daunting challenges, called and committed pastors and the people that support them, you and me – are absolutely indispensable. The world around us is moving at full speed oblivious to the cliff’s edge according to BARNA, and society needs every help they can get. The shrinking, increasingly marginalized Christian community needs wise, humble guidance through the twists and turns ahead, and for us to remain focused we need to rise to three important challenges.
- Practice humble stewardship in an age of distraction and celebrity. How we conduct ourselves are more important than how we conduct others. Paul said that he focussed on this one thing – “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Phill 3:13,14). Today’s biggest distraction for churches is the cult of celebrity, prioritizing image and reputation above transformation into Christ-likeness. We need to be single-minded, not worried about what other people do or think, but finding ourselves in Jesus.
- Provide ways that turns consumers into the Body of Christ. Modern beliefs assume that Church is a service to consume. Many churches have bought into this idea and even promote it. But the New Testament church paints a very different picture. The letter to the Church in Rome has for many years been the blueprint of Church, and it reads: “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-13) We need to help God’s people serve one another rather than enabling them to be mere consumers of spiritual goods and services.
- Offer cultural guidance to a society in search of wisdom. Thanks to the internet, information is cheap, but wisdom at an all-time premium. It is evident that this complex, uncertain age demands clarity and courage from the real Christians. It is a tall order to communicate with truth and grace in today’s fragmented culture, but we can trust Jesus’ promise: “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt 28:20)
Humans are more visual dominant, and are more likely to respond to what they see. The world is increasingly looking towards the church for solutions and help. People however want to see the example, the difference in us first, before they navigate and renegotiate their relationship and commitment to the Body of Christ.
People need to see that we really care, see that we are still relevant, see that God is still here, see that Church is not boring and see that we are actually likable people. So serve God and run this race reaching for the prize – be involved in your community, your sphere of influence, and really love people – and give wise, godly counsel where it is required. This is not just the duty of Pastors, but the responsibility of each and every believer because we are all ambassadors for Christ, so accept the responsibility with gladness, don’t go and deny your part to play.
I want to close with this one last verse, in the words of Jesus: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mat 5:16)
