September 26, 2022

Genesis 3: 12 (NIV)

The man said, “The woman you put here with me – she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

God made us as free-will creatures who are able to sin, but who are also able not to sin.*

I have reached the point in my life where I can – grudgingly – admit when I’m wrong. I admit that I still look for the mitigating circumstances upon which I can dump some of the responsibility, but I’m a work in progress! I can relate to Adam’s attempt to spread the blame around. Clearly, he was wrong, but if it hadn’t been for Eve . . . And by the way, God, you’re the one that put her there!

Each of us has played the blame game. We blame circumstances beyond our control; we blame other people; we blame God. We even claim that the devil made us do it. But no matter the temptations we face and no matter who entices us, we are ultimately responsible for the sin and the decision that led to that sin.

Blame isn’t the only game we play, as demonstrated by Adam. He doesn’t deny that he sinned – he knew he was busted. And yet, he didn’t exactly admit his wrongdoing, either. And he clearly didn’t confess. Perhaps there is a fine line between admission and confession, but admitting that I am a sinner - in general - seems to lack the humility that should accompany the confession of specific sins.

So let’s be honest about our sinfulness. Let’s stop looking for a scapegoat; let’s go beyond a shrugging admission of our sin. If we want to escape the penalty (not the consequences – they are usually unavoidable) of sin, we must take responsibility for our actions. I John 1: 9 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Blaming someone else can’t provide that assurance!

Till thou accuse thyself, and thyself only, and feel that thou alone art responsible for all thy iniquities, there is no hope of thy salvation.*