DAY 62 - THE BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE FALL & THE FLOOD

by King's Cross Training April 7, 2021

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Genesis 3: 12

Today we’re continuing our discussion around choice. We can’t escape the necessity to make choices. Genesis 1, 2 and 3 show us that humanity was made in the image of God with not just the ability to make choices, but the responsibility to do so. We shape our lives by the choices we make and in that sense, are co-creators with God.

Choices are not always easy to make. As we are seeing in our Genesis 3 study on the Fall, Adam and Eve’s choices led to disastrous consequences. But choose we must and choose we do – every day in so many ways.

Can there be anything worse than the regret of an unwise choice? Yes. Refusing to accept responsibility for the choices you make is one step worse than a bad choice itself. Why is that?

It reveals your pride and fear

It’s a simple truth that all human beings make mistakes and poor choices. The same goes for when we fail to act when we know we should. You’re not the first person who has fallen short in terms of personal behaviour. The reason you won’t own up is because you are either afraid of people thinking less of you, or you’re so full of pride that you can’t accept that you have done anything wrong. Either way, it’s a character problem you need to deal with.

It reveals your lack of faith

The Bible clearly teaches us that the way to deal with sin or poor choices is to bring them into the light, to confess them. How can you do that if you’re not even willing to accept responsibility for the choice you made? Instead you hide it away, or blame it on someone else. Your refusal to accept responsibility for your choices shows your lack of faith in Him and your fear of Him. You fear punishment and so you hide your sin away - whereas coming into the light is the only way to avoid punishment.

It keeps you chained to your sin

Taking responsibility for your own sin – saying “Yes, I chose to do that” is the precursor to salvation, isn’t it? If you can’t admit your sin, how can you ever ask forgiveness for it? If you don't own it, can you ever be delivered of it?

“When you blame others, you give up your power to change.”
Author Unknown

Over time, failing to accept responsibility has severe consequences. First and foremost, it has a devastating effect on your own mind and heart. When you know you have failed to take responsibility for something that you should, it’ll begin to bother you, to eat at you, little by little. Pretty soon, you’ll feel very small inside.

Sometimes, especially when we’re young, we don’t comprehend the long-term effects of our behavior. But, make no mistake, accepting responsibility for your choices - EVEN WHEN IT FEELS LIKE THOSE CHOICES WERE THRUST UPON YOU, which is how Adam felt in our Reading for today - is the only way to receive forgiveness and salvation. And is the road that leads to personal victory in life.

Prayer

Lord, please show me where I am not taking responsibility for my choices. Show me the choices I am making on a daily basis that are self-harming and displeasing to You.

For the family

Engage

Click on this link to watch a video about the consequences of Adam and Eve's choices. Discuss together and decide what would be a better action than blaming.

Explain

Explain this devotion an in age-appropriate way.