Sep
5
It’s On You
Filed Under Devotional
I remember our kids growing up and hearing from each of them, at least once, “I didn’t ask to be born!” It was usually during one of those times when their hormones were bouncing around like a popcorn machine working at light speed. It wasn’t much of an answer, but at least it was an answer to discipline. Of course children grow up and grow out of such notions, or at least most do. Those that don’t grow out of it just graduate to a more sophisticated answer to discipline with things like, “It’s not my fault. God made me this way!” Of course this argument is silly:
“Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness,” Genesis 1:26
Now, if we were made in the likeness of God, we were not made to act badly. I can imagine someone standing in front of a judge and jury and saying, “Look, my behavior is not my fault. God made me this way.” The argument, of course, is frequently fine-tuned down to something like, “It’s not my fault, it’s my mother, father, society, etc.” In some cases, these other folks can share in the input, but in the end the law holds the individual responsible.
Of course, the precedent-setting case was one set by God very early on:
“The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave me, she gave me some fruit from the tree and I ate it.’ So the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ And the woman replied, ‘The serpent tricked me, and I ate.’ ” Genesis 3:12-13
We all know the rest of the story. God held Adam and Eve responsible for their actions. He held the serpent accountable, too, and the cost has been enormous. All three were, at one time, in perfect relationship with God and, now, one is condemned and mankind has only one option to avoid the same fate.
Men, we are responsible for our behavior and for teaching our children that they are responsible for theirs. I know what it is like to have God come looking for me in the garden while I hide quaking in the bushes trying to come up with an excuse. Trust me, it’s to be avoided.