Who

Who’s to Blame?

Here in Burbank we have a number of “level crossings” where the railway line crosses city streets at the same level or grade. When a train is approaching, booms come down to stop the traffic. These booms close almost all of both sides of the street and there are flashing lights on the booms. In addition, a set of traffic lights turn to red and a loud claxon sounds to warn traffic that a train is coming. The train also has a very loud horn which it sounds when it gets close. These horns are so loud; we can hear them in our apartment several miles away.

Earlier this year, after the booms had come down, the lights were flashing and the claxon was sounding, a woman decided to drive around the booms and was killed by the oncoming train. What a tragedy!

But even more tragic is the fact that her family and friends are now angry with the Municipality for the death of their loved one. A number of them protested at a recent City Council meeting that it was the Council’s fault that their mother and friend had been killed. But when the booms, lights, claxon and train horn all warn that the train is approaching and someone chooses to ignore all the warnings and circumvent the protections that have been put in place who’s to blame?

It is the same with God and His Word. He gives us many warnings about the dire consequences of disobeying His Word. Yet, we choose to ignore all the warnings and then we get angry with Him when things go horribly wrong. For example, the Bible provides us with clear instructions on earning our living, not wasting, not living above our means etc. But then we ignore His Word and blame Him for our financial woes. The Bible gives us clear directions and warnings about marriage but we cast the instructions aside and then get angry with God when our marriages fail.

The Lord graciously provides us with directions and warnings to guide us in every area of our lives but we have become so arrogant that we think we can ignore God’s council and warnings and beat the consequences. Galatians 6:7 says: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”. You cannot put pumpkin seeds in the ground and expect to reap apples. It just does not work that way – we all know that. Yet we think we can sow to the flesh and reap spiritual blessings! After spending all our time chasing after fleshly things, most of us get angry and frustrated when our spiritual lives are barren.

Right after the Lord delivered Israel out of Egypt he brought them to two mountains – Ebal and Gerizim. Here He instructed them to choose what they wanted: Spiritual, financial and physical blessings or drought, defeat in battle and shame. He then explained to them that if they wanted all the good things, they were to follow and serve Him and to obey His Word but if they wanted famine, defeat and heartache they were to worship other gods and disobey His Word. (Deuteronomy 11, Joshua 8)

Later, when Israel found herself being subjugated by her enemies, her children enslaved to heathen nations and her economy decimated by drought, many blamed God for their misfortune. But was it God’s fault? No, it was their own. God had warned them over and over and still they made their decision against God’s advice. Did they really think they could ignore the warnings and expect God to halt the inevitable? Or maybe they did not stop to think? Just like young people think their parents are killjoys when they warn them against the dangers of drink, drugs and illicit sex, so mankind thinks that God just makes laws to make life harder. But God’s laws are there for our protection, not for His pleasure.

Today many people blame God for the sin, violence, corruption, wars and injustice that sweeps our world. But is He to blame or is it a logical consequence of man’s sin? Christians wonder why their churches are powerless and ineffectual and blame the leaders yet, they themselves are more enthusiastic about the ball game than the church meetings and pray more to win the lottery than for souls to be saved. Preachers bemoan the lack of commitment of the people while they work four-day weeks and count the days to retirement. Folk complain that no-one loves them while they don’t even greet others as they walk past them. I recently overheard a woman complain that no-one ever invites her out for a meal. Yet when folk do take her out, she chooses the most expensive items on the menu plus has starters and desert!

There is just no way one can blame God or others for things that are the consequences of our own sin. Is it not time that each of us take responsibility for our own actions and begin to sow what we want to reap. Stop and think for a moment. What do you really want from your relationship with God, the church and your family? Having determined that, we need to begin doing the things that will result in the fulfillment of our desires. Do you want a healthy body? – change your lifestyle. Do you want others to love you? – begin to love them first. Do you want to find happiness? – begin to die to yourself. Do you want to be financially affluent? – learn contentment. Do you want spiritual blessings? – stop sowing to the flesh and begin to sow to the spirit. Do you want a strong and vibrant family? – follow God’s instructions in His Word. Are you looking for the ideal church? – become the model member and you will find the perfect church. Do you want that dream marriage? – begin to pray that the Lord will make you loving, selfless, patient and kind. We can go on and on. Yes, most of our carnal and selfish desires will never be met but what we need is not for those desires to be fulfilled, but for those desires to make way for Godly desires.

Stop blaming God, the church, the government or your family. What you are reaping now is exactly what you sowed some time past. But, it is not too late. It is time to uproot the bad trees and plants in our lives and to sow the right kind. It may take a long time to see the results but if you don’t begin today, you will become even more angry and bitter as you continue to eat the sour fruit of regret.

One of the most precious promises is found in Joel 2:25: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…” The locusts were a result of Israel’s departure from God, but if only she would repent, He promised that He would restore all the years that had been devoured. Yes, He can still turn your situation around, but He is waiting for you to take the first step towards the right path. The prodigal son could have spent the rest of his days blaming everyone for the loss of his fortune but he realized that there was a way back home and that it began with three words: “I have sinned”.

Anton Bosch

anton@ifcb.net

3310 W Magnolia Blvd

Burbank, CA, 91505

Tel 818 846 5520