Articles
Finding The Balance
Within the same paragraph in Paul's letter to the brethren of Galatia, he commanded the disciples to “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2), and, shortly afterwards, reminded them, “each one shall bear his own load” (Gal. 6:5). This may seem, at first, to be conflicting instructions, but Paul is first speaking about the need to help one another bear the weight of temptations and putting off sinful desires [continued from Gal. 6:1], while the second part is speaking about the fact each man will have to give an account for himself to God, and cannot shift the blame to others, nor take credit for others.
But the idea of taking responsibility for self while, at the same time, helping others as much as we can, is a sometimes difficult situation: How much am I responsible for another person's spiritual condition and/or maturity, and how much will they have to answer for? Do I have a responsibility to watch out for my brother or sister and their spiritual condition? Finding the balance between personal responsibility for our own spiritual condition, and our responsibility towards others is quite often something not discussed simply because we don't know where to draw the line. Some brethren will state plainly that another's spiritual condition and actions are none of their business because “each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12), and what they do is just between them and God; others will insist we must be constantly checking on our brothers and sisters lest we miss some spiritual shortcoming and be judged for that in the end. What does God expect of me, and what is the right balance?
My Duty Towards Self. It is true, “each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12), and, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). So, yes, I am responsible for self. I am not going to answer for what you do or did, and you won't be answering for me and what I do or did.
I, as a disciple, am obligated “to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (Jas. 1:27); I cannot wait for someone else to fulfill that responsibility to orphans and widows, I cannot pay someone else to do it, and no one can keep me unspotted from the world. This is my responsibility.
As a disciple, I also know the command to “let each one give as he purposes in his heart” (2 Cor. 9:7); I cannot hold back, thinking that because someone is wealthier than I, that means I do not have to give as frequently, as much, or at all. No one can give for me, and I cannot give for someone else. This is my responsibility.
I, as a disciple, also know Paul commanded “that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor” (1 Thess. 4:4), which means I must endeavor to keep myself sexually and morally pure. No one can exercise self-control for me, nor can I do it for anyone else. This is my responsibility.
We could go on and on with the list of things I must do, as a disciple, but this should be sufficient to answer the question as to whether or not I have to take personal responsibility for myself and my actions, for which I will be judged someday by my Lord.
But is that all there is? Do I have no responsibility towards my fellow man or my brother or sister in Christ? What does the Scriptures teach?
My Duty Towards Others. If I were to continue looking at the commands for which I will be personally responsible, I would eventually come across the one that says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). In the investigation of my duties and responsibilities as a disciple, I find that I have a responsibility to look out for the interests [especially the spiritual] of others! Part of my personal responsibility is concern for what my brother or sister in Christ is doing, and how he or she is doing.
That necessarily means I must not close my eyes to a weak or negligent brother or sister and simply excuse myself from intervening because, well, "That's his or her personal responsibility." I cannot overlook a brother who skips the assembly or gradually quits coming more and more often by saying, "It's his personal responsibility."
Yes, each brother or sister must answer for self [as has already been noted], but we also have a responsibility towards one another. Remember, Paul admonished the brethren, “if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1). If I am “spiritual,” then I have a responsibility towards this brother who has been overtaken in sin. I cannot excuse myself from getting involved by simply saying, "Well, that's his responsibility; he got himself into that mess, and he can get himself out." I have a responsibility towards my brother in need.
Even in material matters, we cannot close our eyes to the needs of others. John asks, rhetorically, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17). Implied in this is the responsibility I have towards a brother in need when I see his need and have the ability to help. I cannot excuse myself from helping by saying, "Well, if he hadn't made such poor choices, he wouldn't be in that mess." Again, I have a responsibility towards my brother in need.
At the very least, John's words should remind us that we have the basic responsibility of loving one another. Jesus said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12), and John reminded the early disciples of Christ's love right before he spoke of helping this brother in need — and even laying down one's life for one another (1 John 3:16). Paul likewise admonished the brethren that they should, as members of the same body, “have the same care for one another” (1 Cor. 12:25).
We could on with the admonitions to be “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Col. 3:13), to be “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16), to “increase and abound in love to one another and to all” (1 Thess. 3:12), to “comfort each other and edify one another” (1 Thess. 5:11), and to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). To say the least, we have responsibilities towards one another, and the life of faith is not one that any disciple can live to himself or herself. While we each have the personal responsibility of spiritual growth, faithfulness, and obedience, we also all have the responsibilities towards our fellow believers — and that should not be overlooked or neglected.
Finding the balance is a matter of watching out for self and watching out for others, and not neglecting either one for the sake of the other. A disciple who cares only for himself will necessarily neglect others; a disciple who is always looking out for others but not paying attention to his own condition may put himself in spiritual danger. Yes, take responsibility for yourself, but also look out for your brothers and sisters, and help them when you can. —— Steven Harper
