The Dangers of Overemphasizing Human Responsibility

All these dangers will be avoided if we simply embrace the fact that the Bible teaches both truths. It is a [music] magnificent winwin. God has given [music] us two spectacular treasures. We know there is [music] wonderful treasure when we believe both truths that God is sovereign and that man is responsible. But there are also profound dangers if we go too far towards only one side. In our last video, we looked at some of the potential dangers if we go too far in embracing the sovereignty of God and neglect the responsibility of man. [snorts] Now, let's look at the many potential dangers in the other direction if we go too far in embracing the responsibility of man and neglect the sovereignty of God. The first and most common is that we will fall into a works centered legalism in which everything including our ultimate salvation and eternal life is dependent on us instead of God. Then we'll be crushed under the condemnation of our sin. If we think everything depends on us, we won't know the joy of our salvation and the freedom from condemnation that Jesus died to give us. Paul says, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1. Another danger of embracing only man's responsibility is that we'll serve a God who is very small and will see the future of the world as relying entirely on us. And this is a truly overwhelming and terrifying prospect. In reality, God is the infinite creator of the universe. Nothing is too hard for him. Also, when we suffer, we may believe that we're suffering because we have sinned or failed in some way and God has rejected us. This can discourage us at the very time we should find a deeper revelation of God and a deeper dependency on him. In his love and care, God is always with us. He never forsakes us or abandons us. Believers who overemphasize man's responsibility sometimes get involved in extreme faith movements focusing on a narrow causitative faith formula. And our life in God becomes characterized by a transactional cause and effect mindset rather than as a living relationship with him. And instead of seeking to give God glory, our central focus will be on ourselves, our faith and our obedience instead of on him and his ability and glory. The truth is that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things, not us. And finally, we may have a lack of empathy and care for others who are struggling and will focus instead on faultf finding and blaming. It is because of your sin or unbelief that you're suffering. Then we'll be like Job's friends who criticized him instead of comforting him in his time of suffering. Job said about them, "Miserable comforters are you all." Job 16:2. All these dangers will be avoided if we simply embrace the fact that the Bible teaches both truths. It is a magnificent winwin. God has given us two spectacular treasures. When we hold fast to both biblical truths, we will obtain many benefits and avoid many pitfalls. [snorts] In God's truth, there is nothing but life, nothing but joy and victory, nothing but treasure. So let's put aside the errors and imbalances of man's teaching and tradition and embrace God's truth in all its fullness. And then as we embrace God's truth instead of the historical divisions that have kept us apart driven by man's arrogant confidence in his own understanding. We will together find a deep place of unity in him. We shouldn't be intimidated by the reality of the sovereignty of God. Instead, we should find this truth a source of deep assurance. Because God is sovereign, he cannot fail to fulfill all of his word and every promise he has made. Paul says in 2 Corinthians that all the promises of God find their yes in Christ. And that is why through him that we utter our amen to God for his glory. The God who is the sovereign Lord of all things is for us. If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31. God is on our [clears throat] side. Wow. The God who rules over all things according to his own good pleasure is the one who has promised to save us, provide for us, protect us, and deliver us from all adversity as we walk with him. And I'm sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6. The sovereignty of God means that his word cannot fail no matter what. And as we believe and obey him, then by God's infinite grace and power, we too cannot fail. But we will triumph and overcome in all things. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Thank you for watching. Subscribe to our channel for more teaching videos like this. [music] For more information about Leaders Source, please visit our website www.leersource.org. [music]