Being an Example and the Blaming of Others

I'm standing outside and I'm waiting for a fireworks show to begin.  There is a huge crowd of people, so much so that its hard to move around much.  I have two children with me.  And as children they are antsy and impatient.  One starts grabbing my arms and flailing them around.  He's having fun.  He is taking up time till the wonderful fireworks extravaganza begins.  However, not even 10 seconds in to his fun with my arms (like I'm Jungle Paul) he whacks this little boy in the head with my arms.  The little boy starts to cry.  I freak out, I say "Hey lil buddy, are you okay?!"  But the child runs to his father who is only a few feet away and holds on to his leg.  Instantly I go to apologize to the father for my actions.  The cold war situation of whats going to happen between the two adults- as everyone watches and sees this child crying- has been quickly put to a stop.  The father of the child consoles his son, and I talk to the young child I was playing with about watching what he is doing when he is playing.  But what if I told the child's father "That kid was holding my hand he did it"  or said "Wasn't my fault dude.  Blame the kid, he was swinging my arms around."  That could have been the missile that launched and started instant chaos between to adequate warriors.  The kids father didn't look like no punk.  He could have handed down retribution without hesitation, and rightly so.  Thanks be to God for the humility of the man, actions I was guided to take, and the diffusion of the situation.

I tell this story because in reality this is a story in which we all are engaged in everyday.  This is the decision to stand up for the actions that we take or to blame others.  When I say blame i do include that the situation may truly warrant the fault of another.  Maybe you were ignorant (didn't know) of the situation, maybe you had the best intentions of helping in a matter, or maybe like me you were legitimately controlled by another human being.  However, we are still responsible for our actions.  In the example of the boy controlling my arms and hitting the kid, who gave him control?  You say "You don't know my situation."  Well what about an extreme.  When the Nazi soldiers went about the business of killing Jews,  do you believe that is what they "wanted" to do?  I do not (though some did actually hate them).  They were just soldiers following orders.  Does that cut it for you if your brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, or daughter was killed.  I think not.  Each man has a choice in the decisions carried out in life.  These decisions affect not only ourselves but the people around us.  Do we take this to heart? 

 Let us now think on the other half of the spectrum.  Do we tell others what to do, how to live, or even how to believe?  Do you not think the condemnation of our wrong teaching will fall on the student or disciple? Each man stands condemned upon his own deeds, not the deeds of others.  If so by my teaching a man follows the wrong path is that his deeds? He or she is the one living that life.  He is the one continuing in sin or living a more open sin because I said it was "okay".  Of course I will receive heavier judgment because of what I told this follower to do, but that is because of the teaching, not the action.  That is why there is a superlative used.  Heavier not heavy, because of the sin having a condemnation its own- heavy, and the teaching of that sin another, and greater condemnation-heavier.  Are we sending the right message?  Are we teaching the right thing?  Even further, are we living the "Christian" life.  Because living a life is teaching in its self.  How does an apprentice learn his trade?  From watching the master.  In this same manner our lives should be worthy of teaching others how to live.  Because we ARE TEACHING.

I read a story in 2 Samuel 1 about a man, an Amalekite. This man ran back to the camp of David (the heir to the throne).  David asked what had happened at a battle that had taken place in Israel.  The Amalekite told of the death of Saul and his sons.  He preceded  to say it says by chance he came by Saul, the king of the Israelites.  Saul was leaning on his spear (this is to say close to death because he attempted to commit suicide and failed).  Saul told the Amalekite man to kill him.  The Amalekite man not wanting to see Saul in pain killed him.  However when David heard this he had a soldier kill the Amalekite. David said "Your blood is on your head, for your mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed'" (1 Samuel 1:16).  You would think that it is okay to "take someone out of their misery"  especially when the person being a king requested this.  But it is never right to take human life (unless in war or justice, which are two things I have not the time to cover).  But more than that I read this as David (though he is not) being the perfect Judge GOD, and the Amalekite as being me.  If I come to God telling Him "I didn't believe in your son because people told me it was untrue" or anything in the like manner he will reply "Paul depart from me you sinner!" and I will be doomed to an everlasting hell (which is real).  Don't let this happen to you.

I want to sum this up on three main ideas.  The latter which I talked about being the most important.  If you do not know Christ find Him.  He loves and cares about who you are and the life you are in. It does not matter what you have done, because he loves you for being YOU.  Second, let us not blame things on others,  but let us take responsibility for our actions.  We all have free will even if one has to die keeping it (which is happening everyday to persecuted Christians).  And third, how are you living?  Is your life one that it would lead others to Christ?  If it is not I would examine your life.  God is King, and His return is swift.