Fellow Believers,
Back in 1989, I was a huge fan of the pop band Milli Vanilli. They came out with their hit song that year titled "Blame It On The Rain." The idea behind the song is when things do not go your way you have to blame your problems and shortcomings on someone or something else. There should never be a reason to accept blame for your own failures. I do not know if it is just me getting older, but more and more often in society I do not see people willing to stand up and take responsibility for their own action. The desire to blame others for our shortcomings and mistakes in my opinion is getting out of control.
In Luke 6:41-42 (NLT) Jesus addresses our desires to shift the blame without first addressing our own problems and challenges. This is how the scriptures read, "And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye."
First, if we are to follow Christ plan for our lives we must learn to be critical of ourselves. Therefore, it is pointless to blame others for our shortcomings and faults. It is only when we are able to see ourselves as Jesus sees us that we will be able to correct the problems in our lives which cloud our judgement in all things.
Next, we must all acknowledge everyone on planet Earth is far from perfect, and we each have flaws and faults. Some of them we are able to address on our own, and still others other believers need to help us in addressing. It is only when we enter into a trusting and loving Christian community that we become able to open up and share with others who are capable of helping us.
Finally, Jesus desire is for us to help one another through life and not tear each other down through blaming them for our mistakes. If you see a brother or sister in Christ in need, stop first and examine your own life first, and then seek to give them help. It is important for Christians today to be involved in the ministry of the Church outside of the physical structure of the church we attend each Sunday.
I challenge each of you to pause as you begin your day and to remember to be Christian believers committed to the body of Christ. Do not seek to tear down others or the church by being involved in blaming others, instead seek to build others up. I will close with these words from Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Be a friend today.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike
