By: Craig Rippy


What are our responsibilities as Christians? Yes, we could go to Matthew 28:19 & 20 and Matthew 22:37-39 to find the responsibilities of all Christians, but aren't there specific responsibilities each of us need to fulfill?

Recently I had to take a few moments alone in prayer just to allow God to remind me of my responsibilities. This process is perpetual in my life. I must draw back and allow God to teach me my role, responsibility, and authority in certain matters.

Lets look at my life as an illustration. God is to rule my life. I have various responsibilities under His authority.

I am responsible to God. First and foremost I answer to God. I must be in humble submission to His will as He reveals it to me. He has caused me to be a child, husband, parent, Christian, and evangelist. Each has its own responsibilities. I am to look to Him for wisdom and guidance to carry out my responsibilities. He wants me to look within His Word, the Holy Scriptures, to seek out His will. Yet, at times I find myself still in doubt about what to do, so I trust Him to clarify in answer to my prayer.

Again, recently I was in need of clarification so I took some time to be alone with God in prayer. After a few minutes He had clarified my role on a particular subject. He allowed my mind to reflect upon certain Scripture passages and in that way spoke to me. He gave me peace on the subject, because I had accepted His word of wisdom and guidance. I also had peace because I submitted to His revealed will.

I am responsible to myself. I need to make sure that Craig is healthy. No, not so much physically, but I wouldn't discount that either. I believe I must be healthy spiritually though. Throughout the Scripture I'm exhorted to pray, fast, study the Bible, and be in fellowship with other believers. I need to follow God's counsel on the subject of "self." Thus, I get up early in the morning to spend time in prayer and Bible reading. I study the Bible regularly to search out various answers to life's questions. In fasting, I have failed the past few years. In fellowship, I'm usually at church or home Bible study regularly, or at a multi-congregational meeting such as the Missouri Christian Convention or the Ozark Evangelistic Fellowship meeting.

I am responsible to my wife and children. God has given me the responsibility of being a husband and father. My wife is the most important person on Earth. The children God has given us, and who are at home, are second. The Apostle Paul reminds me that I am to love my wife as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her (Eph. 5:25). I figure, besides the Godhead, the Church is the most important aspect of LIFE to Jesus. I am responsible to nurture and provide for Becky.

My children are under my responsibility to teach everything from table manners, the three "R's", spiritual matters, and everything in between. In a sense, their future is in my hands. Becky has her responsibilities with the children, but as the father, I am ultimately responsible before God.

I am responsible to the Elders of SRCC. I am the Evangelist of Solid Rock Christian Church. This is no small matter. God has arranged that church leadership be accountable. I am accountable to our Elders, Gene and Alan. These men are appointed by the Holy Spirit to guard the souls under their pastoral oversight. My soul is in their hands and the Scripture tells me that there is no profit in making that task difficult (Heb. 13:17). Even though I am the Evangelist, and they are accountable to me, I am accountable to them as well. God has arranged this balance for the purity of His church.

I am responsible to the members of SRCC. The Christians who attend in fellowship as the Solid Rock Christian Church should count on me to preach the Word of God accurately. My primary purpose is preaching the Word (2 Tim. 4:2). Yet, I am to set things in order as well (Titus1:5). My responsibilities as Evangelist are multiple. Really, you could read 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus to find the Evangelist is a "Jack of all trades" servant in the Kingdom. He may appoint Elders, reprove the erring, organize benevolence, and be an example of faithful living, among a few things. The truth is, the position can be challenging and even overwhelming at times. Maybe this is why I must take time in prayerful meditation often to regain perspective.

Well, I have run out of room. I was going to write about my responsibility to my extended family as well, but can't.

Yet, all in all, I get my clarification (perspective) from God. He is my breath and food. I am His servant. As I depend upon Him I have direction and peace.

I hope you have been able to gain something from my rumblings so as to gain clarity for yourself.