(J.R.R.Tolkien).
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It was on July 29 1954 when J.R.R. Tolkien published The Fellowship Of The Ring. While the spell check on my operating system fails to recognize names such as Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn Pop culture continues to embrace this classic.
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In the trilogy Tolkien draws us into his imagination using Elves, Dwarfs, Orcs and Hobbits. The beauty of the story is found in what seems to be oxymoronic. A hobbit takes the personal responsibility of saving middle-earth. Frodo will face his fear and, along with the fellowship, journey to the land of Mordor casting the ring into the fire from which it was initially forged and in so doing he will destroy the ring and defeat Sauron.
This trilogy has been translated into Thirty-Eight languages and numerous printings not to mention the blockbuster movie. It is considered one of the great literary works produced in the Twentieth century.
The scriptures place high priority on the subject of personal responsibility. The Epistle of James is a letter written to believers in the early church and speaks volumes concerning the subject of personal responsibility. Notice the following references with regard to the responsibility of believers.
Wisdom
“If any one of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
Temptation
"Let no one say when he is tempted,"I am tempted by God.' for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." (James 1:13&14)
Personal Development
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; For he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
(James 1:22-25)
Self Control
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:8-10)
Before God we are held to a high standard in the area of personal responsibility and the good news is we are not alone. God offers grace for the process and the church for support.
Wisdom
“If any one of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
Temptation
"Let no one say when he is tempted,"I am tempted by God.' for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." (James 1:13&14)
Personal Development
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; For he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
(James 1:22-25)
Self Control
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:8-10)
Before God we are held to a high standard in the area of personal responsibility and the good news is we are not alone. God offers grace for the process and the church for support.
J.R.R. Tolkien and James the Brother of the Lord each speaking of personal responsibility and showing the world a reflection of grace.
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