Greetings to you, dear friends! This is the day the Lord has made for us to rejoice and celebrate before Him! God’s mercies have been renewed for every one of us this morning. God continues to pour out His mercy and grace upon us! The Word of God is an enormous blessing for every one of us. Through His Word God edifies us and our faith.Today we will talk some more about responsibility and irresponsibility. Every one of us likes to deal with responsible people, because we know them to be reliable; that type of people always do their best and we will never be embarrassed because of them. Every one of us would like to hear others saying about us: „You are a responsible person! You are reliable, diligent and industrious!» Why do we see people like that so rarely nowadays? What hinders a person from being responsible?For the several past days we have been talking about it and have pointed out three reasons that cause people to be irresponsible: they are fear, a wicked heart and laziness.The fourth reason that leads to lack of responsibility is refusal of correction.
«Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honoured» (Proverbs, 13:18).
When an individual does not accept correction and advice, then it makes it difficult to help him to become more responsible. As we have mentioned before, an irresponsible person always considers himself to be right; in his opinion he never errs and because of it he has a hard time accepting reprimand and correction. If a person has come to a point when nobody can speak into his life, then downfall of such a person is practically inevitable.«He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy» (Proverbs, 29:1).
When we depart from the truth, God speaks to us again and again to draw us back. For this purpose He will send to us different people: friends and strangers, different ministers. God will rebuke us through His Word. But if we are stubborn and do not listen to Him, there will be no remedy from destruction for us. God loves us and that is why He has given us His Word. He wants to show us how we should live. He desires us to show the areas of our lives where we have gotten off the right path. God wants to demonstrate us how we can back on the right path and move forward. This is why it says in the Bible that a wise and understanding man love knowledge and accepts commandments.«A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart» (Proverbs, 18:2).
«The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall» (Proverbs, 10:8).
«All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work» (2 Timothy, 3:16-17).
I am sure that God spoke to you through this little message. If you want to become a responsible person, then you need to accept His reproof, reprimand, correction and teaching and then start working towards the goal.May God bless you abundantly!Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
