“Passing the buck” has been around since the beginning of time. The first crime ever committed by mortals was blamed on others. Adam blamed Eve for inducing him to disobey the one and only law that God had issued, and Eve blamed the satanically inspired serpent who had misled her concerning the consequences of breaking God’s law. The blame game has been one of the world’s most common defense tactics ever since. Examples abound.
We, who call ourselves “Christians,” are no exceptions when it comes to deflecting the blame. We like to say that times are tough and things continue to spiral out of control because of the debauched character of those who don’t know or worship our God. While it is true that abject godlessness has destroyed morality, civility, justice and liberty in growing proportions, the blame does not rest entirely upon the shoulders of those who avoid God. We, who know God personally through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, are also at fault. God does not bless a nation because of the thoughts and deeds of the “unsaved,” but because of the thoughts and deeds of those whom He calls His children. Many years ago, He said, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)” Notice, God blesses a nation when His people within that nation humble themselves and obediently walk in the light of His Word. Obviously, we have missed the mark.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, it is my fault that this world is in the condition that it is in, and it is your fault that things are as they are. We have failed at being salt and light. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:13–14)” Forgive us neighbor, for living in such a way as to spurn God’s grace, and provoke His wrath upon our nation.