Are we responsible for this generation?

Hi,There is something I've been praying about, perhaps someone can help. Are we responsible for winning the lost of our generation?In other words, would my disobedience cause one to perish, because he didn't hear, or I didn't live right?If you have Scripture that would give me light or a sermon related I would be grateful. I am trying to understand Romans 10 and Ezekiel 3.God bless

There is something I've been praying about, perhaps someone can help. Are we responsible for winning the lost of our generation? In other words, would my disobedience cause one to perish, because he didn't hear, or I didn't live right?Our resposibility is to be obedient to our call and warn sinners to flee the wrath to come. It is our duty to declare the gospel to sinners, thereby being cleared of the blood of sinners as Paul spoke of;Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I [am] pure from the blood of all [men]. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27)Paul didn't win every soul he preached to but he was innocent of their blood. Those who are faithful will have their reward, even though they may not have always been successful.I believe the duty is more than just issuing a verbal warning however, the manifestation of the life of Christ in Paul gave that warning its power. God forbid that you or I should be the very hinderance to those around us coming to the knowledge of Jesus Christ because of the contradiction of our words and our lives.In Christ,Ron

I think this lesson does require some balance. Your responsibility is to the Lord first, then to His Church, then to “the world”. 2Timothy3:13 tells us ,“13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”The reason I say that your first responsibility is to the Lord is, if you are not in the Lord then your light is not shinning and your ministry is vain. Clearly as your relationship with the Lord increases and your intimate knowledge of Him increases, your responsibility increases and your accountability increases. (Luke12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.)Your own life in Jesus Christ is a Testimony in itself which people can see and they are accountable for the light which you shed even by your very deeds. Romans 1:19-25 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.Every Christian has a certain responsibility in Christ and a certain function, it is not good practice to look at the ministry of every saint, apostle and prophet and try to be somehow all-encompassing. It is important to find out what God wants you to do for him. You must first be very clear about what God requires from you, before you can minister effectively. If, for example, the Lord has called you to “save souls” your are more responsible for saving souls than the man who has been called to minister to the saints. Likewise, the one who has been called to minister to the saints is more responsible for that than saving souls. (Mathew 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.Romans12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.Ephesians4: 11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fullness. 14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head--Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.I think the proper working of each individual part of the body of Christ is lacking in most churches. We Christians are not called to be bounty hunters but are definitely part of a whole, a body in which Christ has His life and expresses Himself. The church itself needs a revival, not “the world”. If the church was functioning properly the world would not need revival. A unity of faith and knowledge of God’ Son is our first responsibility, then everything else will follow automatically.James

Thanks for your words and use of scripture, it is helping me.Why am I asking about responsibility?Because I am looking for a new standard.If I am responsible for the lost, and I clearly realise that, my life will be different.This may be a wrong reason, but it's all I have that causes me to weep. That motivates me to desire live at as high a standard of a Christian as I can. And that leads me to seek God earnestly, because I know only He can give me grace to live right that I may not shame His name, and only He can save the lost.I can't bear the thought that there are people perishing who don't have to.To be honest, the glorious fact that I'm forgiven and accepted by Him motivates me to serve Him but only as much as is the accepted standard of the Christian community around me.The knowledge that over 93% of Kenyans are perishing, and that 20 tribes are as yet unreached. The fact that the same percentage of my family and neighbours and colleagues are lost.That to me is unacceptable.And it causes me to cry, and it causes me to pray because only God can change hearts.And then to find out before God's throne that they all were a responsibility that I was ignorant of and didn't take time to discover it. And so because of that some soul is not in Heven with me. That's unimaginable!

We are not called to save people but to witness to them.Testify what Jesus have done in us with us etc....And they are so many ways to wintness and more then our words is ur daily life that witness,testify 2others.....you may be the only Bible people my read and by been a ligh in this dark world you will make a difference out there.People will like 2have what u have even they may not say that 2u.....You will make people think I need what he/she have and God will meet them!!!!! We have responsibilty 2pray4people and ask God 4mercy and at the same time trust God and stand in the gap 4people that God puts in our heart.Thanks thanks thanks for allowing Jesus 2use you.

Nicely put.I have been thinking about this recently, and I wonder:If God said that some will be ever hearing but not understanding, then our witness as stated above is to His glory, even if they will not turn and be healed.They simply cannot understand the joy we feel, especially as it pertains to suffering. People want it now, and they want to be happy at they lowest pricepoint...

It's nice to hear from you dear brother. The Lord is limiting my Internet time these days but I did want to add some scripture that came to mind from Ezekial 33 "7"Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me. 8If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and you fail to warn them about changing their ways, then they will die in their sins, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths. 9But if you warn them to repent and they don't repent, they will die in their sins, but you will not be held responsible."I remember what Paris Reidhead said that he served as a missionary he wanted to improve on the justice of God. God is just and we're not responsible for any results. It's always God that gives the increase.God bless you brother and I pray that you continue to walk in this brokenness.

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: Acts 13:36It seems that we certainly have to serve this generation with something, and God certainly has things for us to accomplish through us in this generation.

I think we're responsible for what God tells us personally to do and what He enables us to do on an individual basis. Gotta be careful about the old "I haven't done enough for God" guilt trip that we're prone to attack ourselves with. The enemy likes to use that one. It's God who works in us to will and to do for His pleasure. We should be careful to maintain good works though. Balance...like someone has said already.

MtembeziThere is nothing worse than Christians fighting other Christians. There is nothing worse and more useless than people coming up with more problems when what you seek is a solution. After I read you posts, I must say that your passion for people is unusual. God may well be calling you into the ministry. The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you a spirit of utterance and boldness in His name that you may proclaim the riches of His inheritance to as many as he leads you to. Being from Africa myself, I know exactly what you speak of. I should be very personally blessed if you tell me that you have decided to go into the ministry. Having said that… I just need to pick up one thing again. I think we're responsible for what God tells us personally to do and what He enables us to do on an individual basis. Gotta be careful about the old "I haven't done enough for God" guilt trip that we're prone to attack ourselves with. The enemy likes to use that one. It's God who works in us to will and to do for His pleasure. We should be careful to maintain good works though. Balance I like that verse (Philippians 2:12-13 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.)This may seem as a contradiction but the reason I keep bringing up the issue of balance and one’s own salvation is this. You must be able to stand well before you can help anyone up. One danger of going into the ministry unprepared is that you can be discouraged to the point of loosing your religion. The biggest and most tragic danger however is that the ministry of the Lord is blasphemed through false doctrine and a decaying church structure. As much as I am passionate for Africa I am more passion about Jesus Christ (for that reason I am coming back to preach the gospel). I would rather see one person prepared by God preaching the gospel, than a thousand self-righteous self-proclaimed prophets. Be careful that the Devil does not waste your passion on futile works; if he cannot extinguish your passion, he will misdirect it. If indeed, the hand of the Lord is heavy on your heart, separate yourself to Him and let Him reveal Himself to you and through you. You will know when it is time to begin your ministry. Even Jesus, had to wait for “His hour” (John 2:4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.James

Thank you br. Jim,Thank you also all who've posted.Please forgive me for giong quiet on this thread, I've not been able to visit this site, and I needed to 'digest' all that's been said.Just having Scripture unveiled through you guys was far richer than doing a concordance search on 'generation'. I guess when I want head knowledge, I do a word search :).I love you all, in Christ. May Christ continue to rule and have preeeminence in all of your lives.By the grace of God, I let all that's been said here sink in me.When I realised that I am called to this generation, the first thing that happened was a sense of joy and peace, as opposed to guilt. Because I know the Savior is also a Caller, a Sender and an Equipper. The Lord Jesus Christ will give me grace to fulfil His purpose for me.Thank br, for reminding me that it's the church that needs revival, then the world will follow.I am also fully aware of places in my life where I have no answer (yet) for the enemy and my continual need to delight in Christ DAILY, for MY victory. Christ is the air I breathe. Oh that I may breath more often!Thanks for also raising calling and timing.I must confess I have no deep knowledge concerning that, however, I am sure I'm not yet called, and I know better than to have a 'raring to go attitude'.I listened to a sermon by Rev Cymbala where he said, "A message will not change a drug addict, Christ will."If I am to stand before men for Christ, I'm not going alone, no way! He's got to be with me!This morning, on the way to work I was meditating on the man who knocked on his neighbor's door for bread for his guests.I was thinking of crafting a message to my mailing list to pray for 'bread', to intercede for their neighbors.I ended up praying for MY bread. I NEED Him first to overflow me that I may bless others.I also meditated on the song "Asleep in the light" by Keith Green. Which I think may have been inspired by Gen. Booth's vision of the Lost. I read the tract and it turned my stomach. Not the vision, but what he said after. (I have the song lyrics and the tract and could post it somewhere, if anyone wants it.It made me realise that this work to bring the Kingdom of God into the hearts of all men who will accept it is great.It's an awesome responsibility.That God would entrust man with the precious message of salvation--well not exactly, He fills us with His Spirit.May we all live in such abundance of the fulness of God, that through us He may turn this generation, in Kenya, USA, the world over to Himself.Again, I love you all in the Lord. And I treasure all who've taken time to post, as I needed to know and understand this issue.

I am also fully aware of places in my life where I have no answer (yet) for the enemy and my continual need to delight in Christ DAILY, for MY victory. Christ is the air I breathe. Oh that I may breath more often!By the grace of God, just realised what my answer, and the only answer to the enemy's attack on my life. It is communion with Christ, it is being so flooded by Him, and by His grace I am learning to commune with Him daily and find daily victory.

MtembeziI am so happy to hear your words dear brother! The Spirit of wisdom is upon you. Do not neglect this gift but let it lead you into all truth. My the eyes of your understanding be enlightened that you may know the immensity of his love and power to you who believes and are called according to His pleasure. May your life be a blessing to our Lord Jesus and a burning light in the world. In all that you do I pray that the God of glory will reveal to you His invisible attributes and draw you closer to His seat every day. Amen. James