Obligation and responsibility. These two words are perhaps two of the strongest words in the English language. They evoke thoughts of work, family and ministry. They remind us of priorities and things which cannot be ignored. As I examined these two words today with God’s great help, I broke them down into two appropriate categories to compare and contrast the differences on both sides. I hope you find this as interesting as I did.
OBLIGATION says: “I have to.”
RESPONSIBILITY says: “It is best to do it.”
OBLIGATION says: “It is my duty.”
RESPONSIBILITY says: “It is my privilege.”
OBLIGATION says: “If I could do something else right now, I would.”
RESPONSIBILITY says: “If I do well in this, I will gain more.”
OBLIGATION says: “I do not have a personal interest in this.”
RESPONSIBILITY says: “This is a part of my life.”
OBLIGATION says: “Religion.”
RESPONSIBILITY says: “Choice.”
The above examples seem to indicate that obligation gets the dirty job while responsibility has a carefree side. The fact is, we are obligated to be responsible. This obligation for responsibility comes with the freedom that Christ has given to us through the grace-laden salvation which was forged on the cross at Calvary. It comes at a high price, and to make matters worse, this highly-priced sacrifice has been mocked, watered down and been distorted throughout time by various pawns and plights of the enemy of God known as the spirit of Antichrist.
We cannot simply be obligated to serve Christ. Obligation alone does not account for love, care or zeal. Responsibility alone does not carry enough weight because it cannot form enough purpose on its own. Responsibility with too much obligation causes religion to rise up and become the focus of our attention. I could not marry and have children simply because I’m the last in the family line. My wife and children would eventually starve from lack of love if I were to do such a thing. The purpose as well as the price needs to be weighed. God measured both for us very carefully.
Why and how do we have an obligation to be responsible? With our minds, with our hearts, our eyes, ears and voice. All this to obey God’s commandment:
“The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Luke 10:27 NLT
Did that say you MUST? Sounds like a harsh helping of obligation.
Each accounts for a different element of our human existence, therefore none can stand without the others or we become lopsided in our walk with Jesus.
We have an obligation to be upright in our thinking, to show love in tangible ways, and to honor God’s commandments. All working in harmony create a blend of obligation to our own salvation as well as a responsibility for the Spirit that God has entrusted to us. The Holy Spirit inhabits our temple (body). Do you have the Holy Spirit living in a tenement apartment which is dark and sleazy inside, or perhaps He is living in a boarded up temple with bars on the windows, a place no one would like to approach?
Take a moment today to examine your obligations vs. responsibilities and find the elements that marry the two in each case. It’s easy to do “must do’s” but requires a heart to do “best to do’s” with wisdom. Let me lay it on the line for you as God did for me. Which of the following do I do out of obligation? Responsibility? Love?
–Attend church
–Read the Bible
–Pray
–Fellowship with others
–Participate with ministry
–Show acts of love to my community, family, friends
[--This list could go on forever...]
Understand that there is a deep sense of obligation (marching duty), but because you are being responsible (wisdom with heart), not because you “have to.”
