Recently at the airport, I overheard someone speaking these words very adamantly on a cell phone, “It’s not our fault – it’s theirs.”
I don’t know what the situation was nor the people involved, but it reminded me of the attitude of so many of us when things don’t go well: We tend to blame others. What is amazing is how we even name illnesses after people or places as if they had something to do with it coming into being.
Many do the same thing when it comes to their sins. Years ago, a comedian was famous for saying, “The devil made me do it.”
We blame our environment or our circumstances for the reason we do things wrong. We blame others around us for saying things or doing things that lead to our sin. Sometimes to avoid taking blame we won’t even acknowledge that we have sinned.
The Bible is very clear on a few things regarding this issue of sin. First, it says that “all have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious ideal,” which means every person born on this earth has sinned.
It also teaches us that if we don’t get our sins forgiven, then “the wages of sin is death” That is eternal separation from God in this place called hell.
It teaches us that because of God’s love for mankind, he sent his Son to die for our sins. If we confess or admit that we are sinners, then he will forgive us and offer us eternal life.
So what do we need to do about our sins? First, admit that you are a sinner and ask the Lord to forgive you. Then believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins and accept God’s free gift of salvation by inviting him to come into your life.
The good news is that the invitation is given to all of us who will start by taking blame.