When we break the word “responsibility” down, we find that it literally means “ability to respond.” If you remember, a response is the opposite of a reaction. “Response-ability” is the capacity to face any situation an make powerful choices that are consistent with who you say you are. It is a refusal to run away from difficulties or an part of your life or reality that you happen to dislike. When you take full ownership of your life in this way, you gain confidence and momentum in making good decisions.
The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Psalm 50:1 (KJV)
Again and again I tell God I need help, and God says, “Well isn’t that fabulous? Because I need help too. So, you get that old woman over there some water, and I’ll figure out what we’re going to do about your stuff.”
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (KJV)
In a sin-broken world, where all our lives are touched by the corruption, selfishness, and injustice of those who rule us, it is sweet comfort to know that the One who would establish his rule over us is righteous all the time and in every possible way. It is sweet to know that all corruption and injustice will end someday, and he will rule over us in perfect righteousness forever.
When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. Psalm 9:3 (KJV)
This is from How to Have that Difficult Conversation by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend
Bringing awareness is all part of how we care for each other. Remember compassion does not mean you are to be soft on the issue. Directness, clarity, and truth are necessary. But keep the balance of love and grace, too.
I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1 (KJV)
This is from the book A Church Called Tov by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer
The fruit of the Spirit begins with love and includes goodness, but if we focus only on the positive traits mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 and overlook the “acts of the flesh” described in verses 19-21, we might miss an important point: Each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is also an act of resistance. To do tov requires us to resist what is not tov, what is bad and evil and corrupt. To live in the Spirit is to resist the works or acts of the flesh. Over and over, the Bible teaches us to pursue goodness and turn away from evil. “The acts of the flesh are obvious,” writes Paul, and he lists such things as sexual immorality, hatred, jealousy, fits of rage, and selfish ambition. To live of tov means resisting the sinfulness and toxicity of these acts of the flesh.
And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. Genesis 38:7 (KJV)
