Word for Word: Pay it Forward

One of the many characteristics, traits, marks, qualities, peculiarities, idiosyncrasies, indications and signs that we are, as followers of Christ, as sons and daughters of God,  to develop, mature and manifest in and through our lives is that of “responsibility.”   Responsibility seems to be a major godly characteristic that is often overlooked or flat out ignored!

We see that within the word “responsibility” is the word “response.”   Response is defined in the dictionary as something SAID or DONE in answer, reply or reaction.  All of God’s Word elicits a response from us; to not respond accordingly is a type of irresponsible response! 

An example we have of this is of an early biblical character.  “Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.  Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’  He said, ‘ I do not know.  Am I my brother’s keeper?’”  This is a clear statement of callous indifference, the opposite of responsibility.

We are to do to others as we would have them do to us.  Isn’t that taking responsibility to love your neighbor as yourself?  We are debtors to everyone because of what Jesus has done for each of us.  We are to pay it forward and show the love of God to everyone we meet.  Think about the obligation and responsibility individuals took to share the Gospel with you.

For me it was a very cute, eighteen year old high school senior.  She later became the wife of my youth 40 years ago!  I have a stack of personal testimonies of believers who share their story of how others stepped up to the plate in their lives and took the responsibility of sharing the message of the cross with them.  The message shared changed the course of their lives forever.  And now they “pay it forward,” sharing Christ and His power and love with others.

Did you know that in 1 Timothy chapter 3 and Titus chapter 1 there is a long list of qualifications and responsibilities for one to become an elder, deacon or overseer in a church?  How many of the 24 resonsibilites and qualifications are you aware of?  You may say those don’t apply to me; I do not hold any of those positions in a church body.  But let me remind you to who these do apply;  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”  2 Corinthians 5:17   “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ.”  2 Cor 5:20

If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, you are to be that representative and ambassador, now taking responsibility to represent God in your speech, lifestyle, actions and reactions.  The Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, penned this: “When I was a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child, I acted like a child.  But when I became a man, I put away childish things.”  In other words, he became responsible and rose up as Christ’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He has prepared in advance for us to do.”   This applies to every believer.  Go and share the grace of God with someone today.

Sharing New Life,
Steve Oden
Pastor
Waukon New Life
Christian Church