Is
No One Responsible?
The integrity of the upright guides
them...
Proverbs 11:3
The judge instructed the jury, "You
have been given a tremendous responsibility. Not only are you being
asked to return a verdict for the defendant, you are also setting
legal precedent for all future claims against tobacco companies."
He paused, letting the truth of his statement sink in. "And
regardless of your personal feelings, you are required to return a
decision that reflects what actually happened in this case."
The judge cautioned the jurors, "I'm
sure most if not all of you have questions about this case."
Every head bobbed in affirmation. "I’m sure you know they
cannot be addressed in open court." He finished instructing the
jury and released them to deliberate. Once in the jury room a hand
was immediately raised, "Yes, what is it?"
"It's evident the defendant has
suffered tremendous physical and medical problems as a result of his
use of tobacco,” the female juror responded. “…and will
continue to do so until his death. During the trial, one question
continued to surface in my mind and I wanted to ask the judge for his
opinion. I want to know under what circumstances a person is
responsible for their own actions?"
Continuing, she explained, "Mr.
Roberts didn't ask for cancer...but he continues to smoke to this
day, knowing his actions may take his life. Is he not responsible, at
some point, for any and all consequences?"
†
Our actions bring either reward or
consequence, and at some point we will reap what we have sown.
Ultimately, Mr. Roberts was responsible for smoking...no one twisted
his arm. Whether smoking caused his cancer cannot be empirically
proven. Yet, should he be rewarded simply because tobacco
manufacturers provided him with cigarettes?
Sadly, our self-serving society makes
every effort to profit by placing blame on someone or something other
than ourselves. Yet, when we are rewarded we fail to attribute our
good fortune to others in an attempt to see them benefit. Why is
that...and what do we do to curtail the epidemic? The answer is
simple...we must become a people of integrity, taking responsibility
for our actions.
Prayer
“Lord, help me be part
of the solution and not the problem in today's court system. Help me
be a person of integrity and wisdom. In Jesus' Name, amen.”
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