Christian Responsibility: Its Ground and Measure.

Romans 6:6‑7; Romans 7:4; Galatians 6:14  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
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Responsibility we have already observed flows from the relationship the person is set in. What then is the ground and measure of Christian responsibility and obedience Having died in the death of Christ to sin (Rom. 6:77For he that is dead is freed from sin. (Romans 6:7)); to law (Rom. 7:44Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:4)); to flesh (Rom. 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)); to the world (Gal. 6:1414But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14)).; we are risen in His resurrection, alive in His life, and united to Him where He is. Our responsibility therefore as Christians flows from that; and the measure of our obedience and walk (not the law, for to that we are dead) is CHRIST. In Christ's death our old life of responsibility is closed up forever; in His resurrection our new life of responsibility begins. His place as man before God measures our blessing, while His walk on earth is the measure and pattern of ours. He hath left us “an example that we should follow His steps;" not the law, or conscience, or Scripture even, but CHRIST, who is out of the reach of law, and who ever liveth in deathless regions of glory; it is He who is the definition of our position before God, and also measures our walk before men. In Him we live. "He that saith He abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." How distinctly! how firmly I how unswervingly Christ manifested God on earth—walking in love, and then in death offering Himself as a sweet smelling savor to God! The Father could not withhold the expression of His heart's delight; nor could the Spirit longer wait, but immediately on the Son identifying Himself with Jehovah's interests, and people on earth, the Father breaks out with what was in His own heart, and the Spirit, as the Spirit of Holiness sealed Him (Matt. 4.) In this blessed path He is set before us as example (Eph. 5:1, 21Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savor. (Ephesians 5:1‑2)). The truth is, that as Christians, God has made Christ everything to us. He is our life (Phil. 1.); He is our pattern (Phil. 2); He is our object on high (Phil. 3); He is our strength (Phil. 4). His path on earth awakens our affections. His work on the cross is the peace of our consciences. Himself in the glory the strength of our souls. Himself in the air (1 Thess. 4.), the hope of our hearts; and Himself possessed our everlasting triumph (Rev. 5).
Life and responsibility unite in the Lord Jesus Christ. Adamic responsibility is closed up in His cross. Christian responsibility is founded on His resurrection.