Blame and Forgiveness

Genesis 3:11-12

And he (God) said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

These words of Adam are very self incriminating. He shifts the blame onto someone other than himself, make it very clear– he will not take responsibility. The first humans know of the fruit, listen to the snake, eat it, and then hide their shame. And instead of confessing their own sin, they play the blame game. Adam blames Eve and blames God. Eve blames the snake. The story they are trying to tell is that they were the victims, just doing what they were told. The first people do what humanity has continually done for thousands of years– avoid responsibility, even at the cost of breaking relationship with God and breaking relationships with our fellow humans.

It is difficult for us to own up to our mistakes because we must first acknowledge the cracks in our character. We are not as strong, honest, or as complete as we think we are (or as much as we want others to see). The human race has given us a plethora of case studies of deferred blame throughout our history and it continues today. We blame others and we blame God for things not being right, for the fissures in our relationships, for the arguments that we take part in.

And then there are the Christians. Those that have tasted the grace of God. Have received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Have been baptized into his death and resurrection. And are now moving on with the task of living out this Kingdom of God that our Savior preached over and over.

I think there is an honest desire in most Christian men and women to be bold for the gospel. We would like to think that we would do anything for Christ. We would proclaim him to the masses. We would defend the biblical doctrines to the very end. We would go and do, go and do, over and over again until our bodies are worn and our strength is gone. But to step into justification through Jesus and to be sanctified, we are told that we must be people of forgiveness. “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.” “Forgive us of our debts, sins, trespasses as we forgive…” Are we willing to ask for forgiveness from those we have hurt? Or ask for forgiveness for the relationships we have broken? And are we willing to forgive those that have hurt us? The true test of Christianity, of receiving Jesus and living out this calling of Jesus, is our ability to forgive and to ask for forgiveness. This will not make headlines in newspapers. It won’t win the attention of the drama craving masses. But it will be obedient to the God of all the universe. It will prove to be a healing of the things that we saw way back in Genesis. And it will be a true sign of the Kingdom.

Announcements:

• Coming Soon! Children' s Christmas Musical! More information will be provided as we get closer to the Christmas season.

• We will have a booth set up at the Moonlight Madness: Fall Shopping Event and Block Party put on by the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce - October 17, 5-9

  • If anyone would like to sit with me to hand out brochures and stickers, let me know

• Adult Sunday School Classes - 9:45

• Youth Sunday School Classes -9:45 (Up stairs)

• Mitchell and Sarah Davidson are hosting a weekly Bible Study at their house on Thursdays (6-8)

  • Their address and number are listed below

• Fall Festival/Harvest Festival will be Oct. 25.

  • Sign up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary

• Children’s Church (Preschool and Elementary School) Sunday School teachers are need

  • Sign up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary

• Trail Life Open House- October 12, 2-2:30 (tentative) Ask Pastor Steven or Damon Hargraves for more information

Church Weekly Schedule

• Sunday worship at 11am

• Sunday School at 9:45am

  • I am teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew

• Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm

• Thursday Bible Study with Mitchell and Sarah

  • 6-8pm

  • 1815 E Rezanof Dr.

  • If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mitchell (907-942-0381)

• Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday

  • I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)

  • If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone out of office

  • Call or text me 972-921-2516

  • Email steven@kodiakcbc.org