Finding Rest

During a holiday meal, five-year-old me carelessly set down a glass of milk, tipping it over. Immediately, I pointed to my great-grandpa sitting next to me and said, “Frank did it.â€

I may be older now, but sometimes that urge to play the Blame Game is still there. It’s nothing new. The Blame Game has been played since almost the beginning of time.

In Genesis, Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ruined the perfect, peaceful world He had created. When God began to question them about their choices, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent.

Later on, in the book of Exodus, Aaron made an idol for the Israelites to worship. When his brother Moses found out, Aaron accused the golden calf of just appearing out of the fire.

Whether it’s a mistake like spilling milk, or an outright act of sinful disobedience, I don’t want to take the credit. It’s sort of a gut reaction to deflect the blame and protect myself, even though I know God has already seen what happened. Do I really think I can allow someone else to take the fall for me?

Actually, somebody already did.

Jesus—who is God—willingly took the blame for me when He carried my sins to the cross. And now that I have put my faith in His sacrifice, He asks me to be honest and fess up to Him and to others when I mess up. And because my forgiveness was bought with the blood of Christ, I am forgiven.

How can I end the Blame Game? Instead of saying, “Frank did it,†I need to say, “I did it. I’m sorry. Please forgive me and help me to not do it again.†Game over. • Marie Cleveland

• Reread 1 John 1:8–2:1. Why can we always find forgiveness in Christ?

• To learn more about how Jesus took the blame for our sins, check out our “Know Jesus” page.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Exodus 20:8-11; Mark 1:35; Luke 10:38-42; Hebrews 4:1-11