THINK TOGETHER
Have you ever been blamed for something? Have you ever blamed someone else for something?
READ TOGETHER
Most of us are really good at blaming others for our own mistakes. You might remember that in the Garden of Eden that is exactly what Adam and Eve did when they sinned. Adam blamed Eve for tempting him, and then he blamed God for giving him Eve. And even Eve blamed the serpent for tricking her. And ever since it’s been really, really easy for us to blame each other hasn’t it?
There’s a short little book in the New Testament called Jude. Jude was written by Jesus’ brother. And at the end of this little boo there is a great prayer that talks about our blame. Here it is:
Jude 24-25. 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
This prayer of Jude contains a great promise from God – He will present us blameless through Jesus.
Blameless?
Yes, blameless.
Can you imagine never being blamed for anything ever again? Never being in trouble? Never getting it wrong? Never messing up? Never feeling guilty or ashamed of yourself?
And if we are blameless, then we never have to blame anyone else ever again too. If we are never counted as guilty then we don’t have to make it look like our sin is someone else’s fault. We don’t ever have to try to make ourselves look better than we actually are.
With Jesus there is no shame and there is no blame. Why? Because everything we’ve ever done wrong or will ever do wrong has been forgiven. And when God doesn’t blame you why should you feel like you need to blame someone else? Instead we can count on God’s never ending love for us no matter what and then we can take responsibility for what we do wrong and then learn from it and grow into someone who looks more and more like Jesus.
Because of Jesus we will stand before God as blameless as Jesus is.
With Jesus we can stop blaming others for our mistakes and take responsibility instead.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Watch this scene from Toy Story together. Why are Woody and Buss upset? In what ways are they blaming each other? In what ways are they acting prideful?
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus,
You have made me blameless before God by your death on the cross for me. Help me to stop blaming others for my mistakes and instead trust that I am forgiven instead.
Amen.
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