What is a marker of faithfulness and trustworthiness? One of the most compelling traits is that of taking personal responsibility. Owning our decisions, good and bad, is a mark of maturity and integrity.
There are different ways to demonstrate personal responsibility:
- Verbally acknowledge personal failure and its impact on another person
- Make restitution for wrongs done
- Follow through on personal commitments
- Ask others if you have forgotten or overlooked a commitment
The core character trait of personal responsibility is humility and love for others. As we grow in owning our mistakes, failures, and limitations, others can count on us. We don’t shift and realign ourselves with others (the result of pleasing people), or our own agenda. We honor our word and use God’s Word as our template of right and wrong; good and evil; true and false.
The opposite of responsibility is found in Genesis 3. As Adam and Eve were confronted by God, they shifted blame, excused, justified, and denied reality. But God knows. Truth does not change. We want to see people and situations from God’s perspective because He is Truth.
We may pretend there is no sin, no death, no impact or injury to others when we sin against them, but that is contrary to the Word and character of God. Until sin is owned and repented of, we are not reconciled with God. And we cannot be reconciled to others.
If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:7-10)
Forgiving as God forgives includes confession and repentance. This is impossible without both individuals taking personal responsibility. When an individual owns their sin and is willing to do whatever it takes to make it right, he/she gains trust. Over time, gaining trust results in vulnerability and transparency. It’s the way we were designed. Even God shows Himself trustworthy in Christ and gives us freedom to respond.
We want to call trust what it is, but first, each individual must be called to personal responsibility and seek the other’s best interest in love and humility (Philippians 2:1-4).
Prayerfully,
Clarity in Action Ministries
Note: Because prayer is vital to our lives, you are invited to join us in prayer the first Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:00 p.m. CST. Send an email to connect@clarityministry.org and request a zoom link for our monthly prayer meeting.
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