"Look What You Made Me Do!"
Isn't it curious how folks will try to place the blame for their sins upon someone else rather than admitting and repenting of their sins?
Notice:
1. Adam tried to blame Eve, and Eve tried to blame the serpent (Genesis 3:12-13).
2. Aaron Sought to put the blame of his sin on the people and the fire (Exodus 32:22-24).
3. Some today say, "When I was a little boy they made me go to church all of the time; so when I got older I quit the church...Look what they made me do!" They also made him comb his hair and take a bath; I guess he quit that also. He ought to be grateful for such parents (Ephesians 6:4).
4. A song leader was told by an elder that they would like for another to lead the singing that day, and he became angry and quit the church. "The elders caused me to quit," was his response when asked why. Did they really? Or, was it his own vain pride?
5. "I was sick and they didn't come to visit me so I quit! See what they made me do!" When asked, "Did you call anyone to let them know you were sick?" The response is usually, "No." The Bible says call the elders (James 5:14).
6. "They weren't friendly, so I quit the church. See what they made me do!" The Bible says if you have friends, you must first be a friend (Proverbs 18:24). We assemble to worship God, not just to be friendly (John 4:23-24).
7. "They just ask for money all of the time so I quit. See what they made me do!" We are commanded to give (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7). If everyone truly gave as they had been prospered, the church wouldn't have to ask for money; we would have a hard time figuring out how to spend it all.
8. "They wouldn't call on me enough, so I quit. Look what they made me do!" Why are we going to worship; to be seen of men or to praise God?
9. Some young people become worldly and quit the church and they say, "There wasn't anything interested to do there." And their parents say, "I don't blame them because the church didn't have any recreation or entertainment for them...see what the church made them do!"
10. "The preacher preached at me so I'm not going back anymore. See what he made me do!" What is a preacher to do? Isn't he to preach against sin? "Oh yes, just not about any of mine!" (2 Timothy 4:1-4).
The truth is no one can make you do anything you don't want to do. And no matter what anyone else does to you or for you, you are not to desert God. And no matter whom we blame or who's fault it is if you desert God, you may only look forward to eternal punishment (Hebrews 10:24: 30). Let us not be deceived by Satan; God will not accept any excuses on the day of judgment. We shall individually answer for our actions to God, without excuse (Romans 14:11-2; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11).
From Our Archives 1988
E. Main church of Christ, Murfreesboro, TN