When the righteous fall prey to temptation, we bear responsibility not only for our own sin, but also the sin of those who have been led astray through our inattention or deliberate disobedience. "...but woe to the one through whom they come. It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Luke 17:2 (ESV)
Those who have accepted Jesus as Lord have a responsibility that extends well beyond their own self-righteousness. One of the marks of a believer is that he/she become other-aware, other-centered. We are called to acknowledge the wider influence we hither-to-fore ignored, and adjust our behaviour to demonstrate Godliness, as opposed to worldliness. As Rick Warren said in the first line of 40 Days of Purpose, "Its not about you." When we become believers, the conduct of all our remaining days is to become about others rather than self.
Lord, help me today and in the days to come to become increasingly away of how my behaviour impacts others, so that I may be an instrument of grace rather than sin.
1 comment:
Great word for a world with a cuulture that presses us to find self instead of others.
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