Show Notes
READ: GENESIS 3:1-13; EXODUS 32:19-24; 1 JOHN 1:8–2:1
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.”
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 from the beginning of time.
In Genesis, Adam and Eve sinned against 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 sin, I don’t want to take the credit. It’s sort of a gut reaction to try 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—God in flesh—willingly took the blame for me when He carried my sins to the cross. 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 His blood, I can know that I am forgiven. God has no condemnation or rejection waiting for me on the other side of my confession—only grace (Romans 8:1).
Jesus frees me from the Blame Game. So instead of saying, “Frank did it,” I can say, “I did it. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Game over. • Marie Cleveland
• Can you think of a time you were tempted to shift the blame off yourself? Once we know Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid to confess our wrongs because He has declared that we are forgiven—forever! And He will be with us, helping us through any consequences we might face after we confess our wrongs to other people. Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about any sins that come to mind. In addition to talking to Jesus, is there anyone else you need to admit your sins to?
• For more about how Jesus took the blame for our sins, see 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 is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 (NIV)
More from Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens
READ: MATTHEW 6:19-21; JOHN 3:16-17; 14:1-4; REVELATION 19:6-9; 21:1-5
READ: PSALM 139:1-4; ROMANS 5:6-8; 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 We curate the caption and crop the distraction, Chasing the applause of a virtual reaction. We polish the exterior to hide the interior, Afraid that our true selves are somehow inferior. But in the quiet, when the screen goes black, We feel the heavy weight of the perfection we lack. See, Jesus didn’t come for your highlight reel, He came for the brokenness you try to conceal. No filter could cover the crimson cost of sin, So He opened His arms to let the rebels in. On the cross, He was exposed, stripped, and bruised, So the real you would never have to be refused. He was buried in the dark so you could walk in the light, Tearing the veil to make your future bright. The grave couldn’t hold Him, the stone rolled away, Giving you mercy that is new every day. You are not a brand, a post, or a trend, You are chosen, beloved, and called His friend. So drop the performance, let the pretense cease, And rest in the rhythm of His perfect peace. • Ty Scott King • Why do you think it’s sometimes easier to show people a curated version of ourselves rather than who we really are? What parts of yourself do you try to curate, edit, and hide away? • Jesus sees the unedited version of you, and He loves you so much that He died and rose again for you. How could this truth affect the way yo view your mistakes, flaws, or things you just don’t like about yourself? • Are there any areas of your life where you feel like you’re putting on a performance instead of trusting God’s grace? Consider spending some time in prayer, laying these things down at Jesus’s feet and asking Him to help you see yourself the way He sees you. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)