Blame … to consider somebody else responsible for something wrong or unfortunate that has happened. To point the finger of blame is as old as The Fall (Genesis 3). Ever since the beginning man has struggled with taking responsibility. Psychiatrist doesn’t help much with this contagious problem either. In fact, it seems that much of the “counseling” today is trying to place most of the blame everywhere except at the point of origin — Me.
Man tried to blame the woman and the woman tried to blame the serpent. “The devil made me do it” kind of thought process, as if that’s OK. What we need today is a clear understanding that our sin has an origin that begins with our own sin nature … in fact each of us has a unique sin nature that James talks about — James 1:14 … “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James is telling us that every person has a unique sin nature that the adversary understands and uses to plot against us. Can we be willing to call it what it is … sin? Can we step up to life’s plate and let it be known to all that “we have all sinned” and fallen short of the glory of God? … and in that discover a compassionate and grace filled God whose mercy is new every morning. Can we really begin to walk the journey admitting our own sin and in that see ourselves as God sees us? Can we truly begin to repent from blaming others for our own choices … at the same time realizing that there are times where we are sinned against that create challenges … but for the most part owning up to what we can own up to … our sin.
The most significant process to a successful life is to learn to take Responsibility for one’s own actions, choices, and decisions. Coming to the conclusion that casting blame to others does nothing but bring more hurt on our own lives and causes us to walk in confusion and conflict. The great news is that every sinner has a seeker who comes looking for us when we have sinned. Just like in the garden God came looking for Adam and Eve … He still comes in the cool of the day seeking sinners who need his forgiveness. He “calls out” –– meaning to summon, invite, or to invoke by name. Just like when God called out to Moses from the fiery bush in Exodus 23:4. In that moment Adam and Eve were dealing with completely new emotions that they had never felt before … guilt … shame … remorse … confusion … God comes to them to bring forgiveness, hope, and love. Wow! How amazing! The God of the Bible has always been a God of love and hope. When they sinned He came ready to make a sacrifice and cover their sin and bring them back into a wonderful relationship with Himself. The first physical death should have been the man and his wife, but it was an animal–a shadow of the reality that God would someday kill a substitute to redeem sinners.
But we must remember Genesis 1: 7 … “And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” Man has always attempted to produce a path back to God – our own version of covering (i.e. fig leaves) … and God has always rejected every attempt … there is but one way to forgiveness and eternal life and that is through the blood sacrifice of God’s choosing … in the Old Testament it was the lamb on the Day of Atonement … in the New Testament it is through the Lamb of God – Jesus Christ!
Let’s walk away from the Blame Game. May we see our lives clearly through scripture as sinners in need of a savior! I know that this kind of message isn’t really popular today … even amongst evangelical believers. Don’t talk about sin … don’t deal with it … don’t call people sinners because you’ll turn them off. But how can a sinful man come to understand his need if we avoid the topic and deal with it in love and clarity? Ever since the beginning and The Fall sin has been the separator between God and man … let’s confess it … let’s call it … let’s humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and receive His unconditional love that brings abundant and eternal living.
To view Pastor Rouse’s messages on the book of Genesis please go to: http://hhbconline.com/thepulse/sermons_online.php.
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