Self-responsibility is a huge step for many to finally accept – standing on their own two feet and not looking to others to do what they themselves have been called to do. But looking out just for ourselves is also not enough. Maturity calls for us to accept the growing levels of responsibility to those within the kingdom God has given us as well.
James reminds us that those who bear the responsibility of teaching will be judged more strictly. And, for this reason, not many of us should become teachers. And perhaps we assume this just applies to official leaders within the church, and we rightly pray and discern before accepting such assignment.
But our role as husbands and fathers is also an office that comes with great responsibilities. We’re the lead pastors of our home and this is not a duty we can defer to others. Our families will rise or fall on our leadership.
But all too often we give very little thought to the teaching, instruction, and spiritual formation of our home. While certainly there’s a place for our village to support our efforts, this burden of responsibility ultimately falls on our shoulders. And, with James, we will be judged accordingly.
As such, we should not only consider how we’re teaching through the life we live and the example we set, but also the teaching curriculum of our homes. On the one hand, how we handle work stress, treat our wife, or talk about others will speak volumes of education without even opening our mouths. At the same time, it’s helpful to have more intentional times of dad school as well, in which we’re explicitly teaching the foundations of our faith, eternal truths, and how we should live in the world.
In the end, it’s a heavy responsibility to care for the souls of others. But this is our duty as mature men, husbands, and fathers – faithfully guiding those God has given us toward his best.
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