One of the ways that a train can have failures or even accidents is due to negligence. When things are not taken care of appropriately the likelihood of issues arising increases. When a conductor of a train is negligent in enforcing or ensuring safety compliance, it can result in severe injuries of others. Their job is to be alert and aware of approaching hazards and alert the conductor of any issues. Their failure to do so could be deadly, not just to themselves but to others on the train.

In 2008, a train in Chatsworth, CA missed the alert for oncoming rail traffic and struck a freight train. The crash killed 25 people. The responsibility for the accident was put on the engineer that was texting when the alert was missed. That is why even having a phone on hand is not allowed for rail workers.

Negligence in the Christian life can be just as deadly, maybe not physically, but most definitely spiritually. When a new Believer becomes saved, they need someone to come along side of them and help them take the first steps at following God with their lives. But when there isn’t someone that wants to step into that role as a spiritual mentor then that new Christian can become lost. Not losing their salvation, that is eternal, but they can go back to all they know, the world and it’s ways.

Luckily for us we have a wonderful God who is the engineer/driver of our train and life, and he would never be negligent in protecting our lives from harm. But our lives, as the train, are full of people that need our care and guidance as seasoned travelers/Christians. Everyone that steps foot onto our train or in your life can use an encouraging word or spiritual wisdom.

Now, I’m just going to say, that the spiritual wisdom that we give needs to be grounded on the truth of God’s word. We are not to be teaching young believers our opinions, but rather what God is saying in the Bible to all believers, young and old. Teaching the wrong things can also be considered being negligent. You wouldn’t want to pay for a college course and be taught something that doesn’t have anything to do with the specific topic you signed up for, that would be ridiculous.  So, don’t be wasting a young believers time by talking about things that aren’t true or helpful for them to grow in their new faith.

Here is also another thing we need to be aware of. As a “mature” believer who wants to help those new Christians, we also need to understand that they may not always want to take on the task of growing in their faith. It can be a scary thing, especially when it becomes apparent that they may have to change or give up some things. They may decide to simply have a quick trip on your train and get off at the nearest station, rather than stick around for a long journey that may become uncomfortable. What I mean is, once they get saved, they have to make the choice for themselves to start on a new path for their lives.

But it is still our responsibility to try, as God instruct, to encourage those young believers. Even though what we say may be rejected, if we are doing it in the right way (God’s way), then He sees it as us being faithful and not be negligent.

Are you being negligent in your responsibility?