Romans 5:12, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned."

Psalm 51:1-3, "Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night."

Think

Do you remember playing Hot Potato as a child? It's a simple game of passing an object from one person to the next in a circle while music plays. When the music stops, the person left holding the "hot potato" is out of the game. It ends when only one person remains.

It sounds a little like the Blame Game of today. We pass blame around carefully, making sure that someone else ends up with it. However, when the game ends, we're still to blame - and no one wins. Our pride brings us disgrace when we attempt to avoid personal responsibility. The consequences are broken relationships and a life filled with regret.

The blame game has been a part of our human nature since the beginning of time. What would happen, though, if we decided to take personal responsibility for our actions? When we recognize that we're fallen and fallible sinners, the chains of pride begin to break away. What we gain from humbling ourselves before God and taking responsibility for our actions is far greater than always passing the buck. As a result, reconciliation occurs with God and others as we experience the warmth of His grace. Humility yields far greater dividends than playing the blame game, because, in the end, we win!

Act

Before writing Psalm 51, King David had been playing a blame game of his own. He'd committed adultery with Bathsheba and was responsible for her husband's death. His sin marred his life, and he was broken. Read Psalm 51 and allow David's words to help you humble yourself and experience God's grace.

Pray

Heavenly Father, I know I'm only fooling myself whenever I play the Blame Game. I'm sorry, Lord. I humbly ask You to help me take personal responsibility for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen!