Last week I was driving in Houston and saw a billboard for a defense attorney that read 713-Wasn't-Me. At first I laughed out loud at the ad. It was a great ad and very creative! But then I began to think a little more about it. The reason it fits so well is that this is the mentality we all seem to have. No one wants to take responsibility for anything.
Why is it so hard for us to take responsibility for ourselves and our actions? Why are we so good at making excuses and looking for loopholes, blaming others and trying to skirt by?
Sorry to disappoint, but this is nothing new. In fact, it began all the way back in the Garden with Adam and Eve.
The serpent tempted Eve by offering her something that seemed better to God's way. It made her think she was being cheated. She gave in. She then persuaded Adam to disobey God too. He gave in. Then the blame game began. It wasn't Adam's fault, but Eve's. No, it wasn't Eve's fault, but the serpent's. No, it wasn't the serpent's fault; it was really God's. God created the system after all and allowed the serpent to do what he did, so ultimately it's His fault, right?
We look at that story and kind of laugh, saying that we would never do that. But we do! In fact, we do it all the time. Sometimes we even justify ourselves and try to spiritualize away our sin. Gossiping, for example, becomes "sharing a concern" about someone. Criticism, dissension and backbiting becomes "wanting the best" for everyone. You get the point . . .
Brennan Manning writes:
In a world where the only plea is "not guilty," what possibility is there for an honest encounter with Jesus, "who died for our sins"? We can only pretend that we are sinners, and thus only pretend that we are forgiven. (Ruthless Trust, Pg. 171)
John said it another way:
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:5-10)
What has kept you from taking responsibility for yourself, especially the things in your life not pleasing to God?
In your mind, how can you build a real relationship with a God based on forgiveness and grace if you have nothing to confess and no sin for Him to forgive?
What's the best way forward?
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Jim,so much simple but straight forward truth here! I pray that God will continue to bless you and your ministry. Keep up the awesome work! There is so much to learn from the Word, if only we will allow Him to teach us. May God bless you and your work, and we will continue to pray for you. Tony Quinn
ReplyDeleteFear can keep you from taking responsibility and the only way out of that trap is to confess your sin. It is impossible to have a real relationship with God if sin stands in the way.
ReplyDeleteSome astute attorney! How funny! Have read the blog several times. Also, sort of same subject,dvd from NAC,Pastor Duncan touched on using concern as a way to pass along gossip..something like that.There are so many ways to go ,in thinking about this subject.Did you read or hear about the man who was released from prison this week after having served 27 years and is innocent?Seems to me that we, as christians, are reluctant to believe one another if there is a plea of innocence. Doesn't that constitute a false accusation? Just seems to me that we feel that we are doing God a favor if we point out some things,even when we really do not know the truth. Think that most of us have enough in our lives to "to build a real relationship with Him in our need for forgiveness and grace", as stated in the blog, without added untruth.Sure we must admit it and make it right with God and anyone we have wronged when we do wrong, but be careful in judging others.HSM
ReplyDeleteLong time reader, 1st time blogger.
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog, even greater Billboard.
May GOD bless all of you.
713-WASN'T-ME !!!
Gotta love it.