Recognizing The Limits Of Responsibility


I. Introduction:

A. We know the value of a soul (Mark 8:36), so every person matters deeply.

  1. I know I often feel, just as Paul described, continual sorrow over lost souls (Romans 9:1-2; cf. Psalms 119:158, Jeremiah 13:17, and Philippians 3:18-19).
  2. Also like Paul, I often pray for the lost (Romans 10:1-3).

B. Real quick, let me remind you of some things as we enter this lesson…

  1. Not every Christian has the same work in the kingdom (Romans 12:3-5). Some are teachers in a broader sense than others (II Timothy 4:5 and James 3:1).
  2. Nevertheless, every Christian may have opportunities to influence others, whether saints or people in the world (i.e. Titus 2:3-5). This lesson concerns those opportunities and the limits of our responsibility after we faithfully fulfill them.
  3. I am going to mention Ezekiel. Remember, Ezekiel was given the role of a watchman by the Lord. None of us have been directly given that role. Thus, we are just applying principles in some of the points I will raise.

II. Body: Think Back To The Role Of The Watchman (Ezekiel 3:17-19).

A. Once a teacher has faithfully fulfilled his responsibility to teach, he is not accountable for another person's rejection (Acts 20:26-27). Paul did not say: "I converted everyone.” He said, "I am pure from the blood of all men."

  1. Think about Ezekiel’s work (Ezekiel 2:1-8 and Ezekiel 12:1-2).
  2. Consider the instructions concerning when to stop teaching (Matthew 7:6, Mark 6:11, Acts 13:49-51, II Timothy 2:14, II Timothy 2:23, and Titus 3:9-11).

B. You can only help save yourself and those willing to hear (I Timothy 4:16).

  1. Think about the principle concerning those willing to hear (Jeremiah 5:20-21, Matthew 11:15, Matthew 13:15, Acts 7:51, Acts 28:23-29, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, etc.).
  2. Some are willing to hear; others are not (Proverbs 9:7-9).
  3. God does not hold us accountable for another person's rejection once we have faithfully fulfilled our responsibility (Luke 7:24-30 and II Timothy 4:3-4).
  4. You must be at peace with the fact that free will allows choice. Many will choose unwisely (Luke 13:23-24).

C. But even our Lord, who loved perfectly and taught perfectly, allowed people to walk away (John 6:60-66).

  1. He grieved over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44), yet He did not force them to receive Him.
  2. Jesus provided choice without sugar coating facts (Luke 9:57-62).
  3. Yet, even when rejected, He didn’t stop caring for those individuals (Matthew 23:37).

III. Conclusion: Love people enough to teach by word and/or deed when possible. Truly care about lost souls. However, do not carry guilt God never placed upon you if they reject the truth (Ezekiel 33:9)! You are responsible for faithfully doing your part, not for another person's choice.



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