Jeremiah 51:15 – “It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom, and by His understanding, He stretched out the heavens.”

The prophet reminds us that the Living God, our God, is the Creator of all things!  The consciousness of God’s immensity looms large as we read this.  His incredibly deep love explodes before us, and His peace wraps around us like a glove. God desires that we understand our responsibility to Him, ourselves, and others. Most believers realize that we have a responsibility to God, and many understand that we have a responsibility to ourselves. But what about our responsibility to others? Often, that idea is absent.

We reflect on our hurts and wounds and say, “Wait a minute, God, don’t You know what they did to me? Don’t You know how they are living?  Don’t You know that they keep making the same irreligious mistakes?”  In that mindset, it is difficult to grasp and embrace our responsibility to others.  We ask, what is our responsibility to others?

Jeremiah 51:15 reminds us that God is the Creator of Everything! He has All Power and Wisdom. In Jeremiah 51:36, we discover that God has committed Himself to plead our case, and when retribution is proper, He exacts vengeance—We Do Not, or We Are Not to Do That! Yet, try; we will, and sometimes it feels so good, or we think it does. Momentary gratification is not victory!

Romans Chapters 12-15 consistently teach us that the spiritually strong are to care for the spiritually weak. This is taxing and requires more effort, compassion, and patience than most have learned. In Romans 12, we are informed that we belong to God totally! We have a gift or gifts to be used to bring peace and nurture those in the faith. In Romans 12:18, “If POSSIBLE, (big word), so far as depends on you, be at peace with everyone.”   Wow!   That is a tall order, God!

Romans 13:10 reminds us that love does not do evil against others. Our love for God allows us to love ourselves rightly, which is translated into loving the unlovable and the loveable. Difficult order? Absolutely! But it is God’s directive and is not to be manufactured or pretended, but an outflow of the Love that is IN us!

Romans 14:1 directs us to accept the one who is weak in the faith, not judge them or look down on them as lesser than us. Remember, we were weak and are still in some areas. We live for, in, and through Jesus! In that light, we live for others and are our brother’s keeper.

Romans 15:1 – “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weakness of those without strength and not just to please ourselves.” It is not about us! Romans 15:7 tells us to accept one another JUST AS Jesus accepted us. Be careful accepting someone is not to be viewed as endorsing or condoning wickedness. We are to pray for love and provide godly examples rather than spewing forth condemnation and judgment. We are not God! We also have flaws!

Romans 16:17-20 gives us a powerful and revelatory directive and explanation. A professing Christian who causes division and dissension is to be noted. They cause others to stumble and wage war against the unity of the Body of Christ. We Never embrace or enable Evil, but we do love and pursue peace (God’s Peace, not just the absence of conflict.)

When we focus on our responsibility to God and get that in order, to ourselves, and in harmony with God’s Word, we can respond to others JUST AS Jesus… When we do that, we discover the fulfillment of the promise in Romans 16:20: the God of peace will bruise satan under our feet! Peace will come to our house (ourselves and our homes, businesses, and churches.)

How do we do this?

• The first step is to get a right view of God.
• The second is to develop a right view of our purpose, who we are, and how we are to live and think.
• Third is others – We are to strengthen the weak, encourage everyone, and demonstrate the Love of God.

I ask that you pray this prayer with me:  “Father, help me prioritize rightly and relate to others biblically and godly. Transform me into manifestations and demonstrations of Jesus. I give myself to You. Make today the beginning of a new journey that produces Your Peace and Power.  Please help me remember that no weapon formed against me can prosper, and no stronghold can remain. I bow to You and set my heart on You and being Who You said I am – An Overcomer!  Amen!”

May the Lord guide your footsteps as you embark on today’s victorious journey of faith!