Gò0dNews for Men Individual Responsibility and Accountability by Paul McGuire
I
ndividual responsibility and accountability. In attitude and
in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your
action, these three words must be practiced in order
freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your
to have a free and ordered society. These principles
freedom to serve one another in love...So I say, let the Holy
represent a frame of mind. Why bring this up here? Well, I am addressing men. The basic societal unit is the family, in God’s design, and the man is designated as the head of the family. He is the individual who, before God and
Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:13-16 NLT). To this point, our old sin-nature has led us down a path of failure. Only God can redeem the past, and with His
his neighbors, is held responsible and to an accountability for his family. These words represent no new idea, but currently our society suffers because these principles are not practically and universally followed. Historically, the practice of taking individual responsibility and accountability has kept our families and our Nation strong—certainly stronger than right now! In the history of Man, Satan has assaulted the God-appointed role of men. In the Garden, he approached Eve, rather than Adam. She was deceived into taking a role that was not her own. Yes, Adam messed up. Adam is our “father” in sin. As born-again men, Jesus is our “father” in righteousness.
supernatural help, we can begin to walk out what He has
In Him, we are restored to the roles God designed for us—if
placed within us. We can lead our families in His ways, by
we will take the steps to get there. Our old sin-nature tends
His design.
to make us lazy, and consequently, not in want of being the
One day we will stand before the Lord. We will stand
head of the family, as God has appointed. Failure to take
as individuals. We will be held responsible for our choices.
this lead, I assert, has brought us to the tragic crisis-time we
We will be accountable to Him. Praise God that the blood of
now face.
Jesus covers our sins! I want to be found faithful—to have
I present my words here as a challenge to our homes and our Nation. I am no longer a young man. Would I have understood the importance of these three words when I was young?
done what I could do for my family, my neighbors, and my Nation—by His design, wherever God has placed me. How about you?
I will start where I am now. Will you? The Apostle Paul eloquently addressed this critical need to the church at Galatia: “For you have been called to live
12 // July 2021
About The Author
Success will require self-discipline. Paul McGuire has been born again for almost 60 years, and has pursued to hear God’s Voice through all those years. He and his wife Teresa of 45+ years are active at Living Word Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. They have two children and four-and-counting grandchildren.
