Taking Responsibility

Karen worked at Bethel Chapel in the children’s department for two years and was pretty good at her job.  When she first started working there she was attracted to her boss, until she found out he was married. Then she did the appropriate thing and simply focused on her work.  Her boss, Fred, learned that she was a single mom and he and his wife did their best to help her out.  At some point in the process of helping, he became attracted to Karen.  Soon, everyone in the office noticed Fred was spending a lot of time with her.  Gradually she grew embarrassed by his increasing attention.  He continuously texted her, often walked her to her car after work, and was overly aggressive about finding out about her personal life. Though the church office was filled with gossip about Fred and Karen, no one confronted Fred.  

To get Fred to leave her alone, Karen lied and shared that she was dating someone.  This clearly upset him so he persisted in wanting to know who the person was. Finally, reaching a point of exasperation, Karen reported Fred’s unwanted behavior to another supervisor who then helped her seek help from the senior pastor.  Fred ended up losing his job.*
 
Meditation
Leviticus 5:1—When someone sins in any of these ways: If he has seen, heard, or known about something he has witnessed, and did not respond to a public call to testify, he is responsible for his sin.
 
The attitude, “it’s none of my business,” is not a Scriptural attitude.  Among fellow believers we are not to be tolerant of illicit, immoral, or improper behavior.  

When we refuse to do our part to address wrongdoing God counts our inaction as sin.  He expects us when we see another believer engaged in violation of His Word to do something about it!  Fortunately, Scripture gives us great insight and advice in how to confront Christians engaged in sin.  Notice how clearly the verses below speak to our taking responsibility for addressing evil and provide recommendations in how we are to behave:  
· “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
· “Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid” (1 Timothy 5:20).  
· “So it is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn’t do it” (James 4:17).  
· “Let him know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his life from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).

It is not easy to speak up.  But we have ourselves to blame for the deterioration of our society if we cannot even police our own ranks.  If we believe toleration of sin is enlightened, rational behavior we have placed society’s will above our Creator’s will and that is a deadly practice.  Let’s “encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception”(Hebrews 3:13).    
 
Inspiration
It’s not what you believe that counts; it’s what you believe enough to do.—Gary Gulbranson
*This account is fictitious.
 
©2016 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)