"Today's Devotion": (08/12/03) Who's To Blame?

"Today's Devotion" For August 12, 2003

Read:Genesis 3:1-20 Romans 5:12-21

WHO'S TO BLAME? by Rev. Richard Boeck

"For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One Man, Jesus Christ."(Rom.5:17)

"Who's to blame?" Everywhere we look these days it seems as if someone's trying to blame someone else for something. Of course, if we listen to the news reports and speeches on the national scene, we know that the President is the one to blame for everything that goes wrong in the United States and the world. Recently, former Vice President Gore gave a "policy speech" which basically blamed the President for almost all our woes. We understand this all too well because we grow up learning to do this. Over the years I've noticed, for instance, that when I'd challenge my sons' messy room, each would say the other was responsible. And, I'm certain, such behavior isn't restricted to my household.

In the beginning, when God first created the universe, the world, and us it was all perfect. Things worked the way they were supposed to work. He created Man, in His image and likeness (Gen.2:26,27). There was a perfect, harmonious relationship between human beings and their Creator. Then came the temptation to do things in other than God's way, and the "Blame Game" started. We see Adam "passing the buck" to Eve, and Eve to the serpent. Yet God held each of them responsible for their actions, regardless of whether they wanted to accept them or not. Finding someone to blame rather than taking responsibility for our own actions is a very common human pastime. All it ever does is cause divisions and dissension. Finger pointing is the name of the game. But the truth is, as my father used to emphasize over and over again, that every time you point a finger at someone else, there are three others pointing back at you.

Finger pointing never solves any problems. God in His wisdom and mercy knew that right from the beginning of Man's separation from Him. If there was to be any solution at all, God would have to provide it. He would need to save us from ourselves, and so He promised a Savior already in Genesis (3:15). Over the millennia, He continued to remind people of that promise. Finally, at the right moment in history, He placed the blame for all of humanity’s sin on the head and shoulders of One Man, His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate price for our disobedience, by taking the whole burden of the world's sins to the Cross and paying the price we deserve to pay. His death and resurrection is God's assurance to us that our sins are forgiven and that, in Christ, we have peace with God. We no longer need to play the "Blame Game," for when it comes to the question, "Who's to blame?", the answer is Jesus, for He is to blame for our sins being forgiven and our hope of life with God forever.

Prayer: Father, thank You for not giving up on me or anyone else when Adam and Eve first fell into Sin. As I live in You by Your grace in Christ and the power of Your Spirit, lead me to rejoice in the forgiveness of all my sins every day and to live a life that takes responsibility for my actions and words. Show me how to live in You and for You in all my relationships with others, so that I might be an effective witness to Your love and forgiveness for everyone in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, in whose name I pray. Amen.

************************************* Pastor Richard Boeck is writer and publisher of “Today’s Devotion,” a brief, daily devotion that brings the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ to bear on the events of the day and people’s lives. If you wish to receive a free subscription please send an email to: revrboeck@netscape.net. Please put “Send me‘Today’s Devotion’” in the subject box. Please also include your first and last names in the body. You may also address any questions to the same address. ************************************

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