The Spirit of the Law

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/28/22

When life begins to fall apart, we may realize that there was something we could have done differently. But often, we refuse to acknowledge this to the Lord and to others. While God does not want us to feel as though we need to confess every mistake to those around us, He does want us to take responsibility for our actions.

Far too often, we shift the responsibility off ourselves and onto someone or something else. We blame others for our mistakes by claiming, “If only he or she had not made me do it.”

Yet, if we are truly responsible for an error, we must be willing to say, “Yes, I did that, and I want you to know that I am sorry and have taken the necessary steps to ensure that it will never happen again.” The last thing we need to do is to try to slide out from under a difficult situation by blaming others. Blame just does not work with God’s plan for our lives.

Jesus never said, “If you had not been so hard-headed, I could have avoided the cross.” He knew the responsibility God had given Him, and He was determined to be faithful. Through Him, we have been given eternal life. Therefore, we need to learn how to live as incredibly free men and women.

When we shift the blame to others so that we appear blameless, we are not really free at all. We are in bondage to the deed and to those whom we have betrayed and harmed. Forgiveness is a miraculous act whereby we come to God and confess the wrong we have done, and if need be, we are willing to apologize to those we have harmed.

Prayer: Lord, I want to live a free life—one that is only tied to You and not to the sins of this world. Teach me Your way that I may walk in it. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path . . .” (Psalm 27:11).