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Learning And Teaching Self-Responsibility
Brian Mashburn
November 5, 2006
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Wielding The Keys of The Kingdom
Jesus put some serious responsibility in Peter's hands in Matthew 16:19 when he said, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." I'm not sure about what that all means, but I am sure that Jesus was entrusting quite a bit of power to Peter's hands.
Jesus did everything that Peter needed to succeed in the life he had been called to. And he was now being called to be responsible to live that life, life to the full. In John 21, after Peter decided to put the keys of the kingdom down and go back to his old life of fishing, Jesus showed up and reminded him of the new life he was to live. The new life he gets to live.
You have been given everything you need by Jesus, too. And as imperfect as you are, He wants to show up and remind you, too, of the new life you are to live. That you get to live. Listen, when you aren't living the life of the Kingdom (which is a life of peace, joy, and righteousness according to Romans 14:17), it's not because you can't. It's not because He hasn't done His part. It's because you aren't being self-responsible with what He has given.
Here are some clues that suggest you might be self-responsible.
1. You have plenty of time to do the things that are most important to you.
2. You don't need anyone else to be anything other than what they are for you to be and feel successful.
3. You spend more time accusing rather than excusing yourself.
4. You enjoy taking responsibility for your mistakes.
5. You act as if God has given you everything you need no matter how little you have.
6. People keep asking you how you manage to be so happy.
7. People keep asking you how you manage to be so content.
8. You do what is Christ-like regardless of the cost or consequences to yourself.
God is enough for you. More than enough. Jesus showed it to be true. Jesus' disciples will too.