I used to pick my grandchildren up when they were younger and as soon as they got in my car one (or two) of them would start telling me what the other had done wrong. I would ask why they did it and hear “they did it too” or “they did something to me.” After that I would say they were both wrong, which satisfied neither. I realized it’s not unusual for brothers and sisters to argue, but I didn’t like their lack of repentance. Occasionally I would get a “sorry” but were they only sorry for being exposed? That sorry isn’t real.
That attitude is all throughout our society today. A former Speaker of the House who after being caught in a lie that influenced an election said, “It worked, didn’t it?” People are only guilty if you catch them, or if they don’t have a good enough excuse. Even then the guilty party will say “they did it too” or “they did wrong to me” as if that makes them not guilty. Somewhere in our pursuit of justice and equal rights we have lost personal responsibility. In the name of freedom from religion, we have lost our moral foundation and are plunging into “any excuse will do.” The Bible says, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him” (Prov 13:24) but discipline is another thing we protect our children from! Now we listen to the world and hate our children to both their destruction and ours.
Unrepentance has even made its way into the Church. When confronted with sin, people don’t run to the altar but defend their sin and hold on to it. They declare, “they did worse” and the leaders are afraid a scandal will upset the Church. Worse than, sin is tolerated, justified, or hidden by the Church. JESUS said, “if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Mat 15:14 KJV). He is right and the ditches are overflowing!
What are we supposed to do? Repent! Sadly, I feel I must mention that “repent” means to change direction, not blame others, or give excuses! Maybe I should point something out about an answer JESUS gave? We often quote “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mat 22:37and 39) but both quotes are proceeded with “thou shalt” and they are commandments. Are you loving GOD with your all when you won’t admit when you are guilty? Are you loving your neighbor as yourself when you blame them for your failures? JESUS told us to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Mat 5:44 KJV). Don’t forget, “they” won’t be there to blame when you stand before JESUS to be judged for what you did or failed to do!
But JESUS used some tough language while chastising the religious leaders of His time. JESUS had full authority and was correcting the people who were supposed to be speaking for His Father. JESUS wasn’t blaming others for His faults for He had none! He was teaching both them and all who would come after Him as He was setting the stage for the New Covenant!
What must I do? “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15 KJV) and love GOD and your neighbor and share the Good News!
Wayne Lance (2023) – That’s Good News to Share!