Sunday, 3 August 2014

Passing the Buck a.k.a Blaming the other



CONCEPT OF RESPONSIBILITY

It is human tendency to blame others for our problems. The reasons are manifold. Primary reason is to pass the buck and not to feel guilty. But, it is not a recent phenomenon,,It appears to be prevalent from Genesis' times !!!!! 

Who is guilty of the first sin in Eden ??
Firstly, what was the sin ? 

The disobeying of God's command 

What was the command ? Not eat the fruit that one tree.

Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17 NKJV)

Who disobeyed ?

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6 NKJV)

It is clear Eve ate the fruit and gave it to Adam..

God asks Adam :- 
"And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:11 NKJV)"

Adam's answer is very revealing :-
Then the man said, The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12 NKJV)

This amounts to Adam saying " God, it is all Your and Eve's fault" !!!!

[Incidentally, Eve is not far behind in blaming other...
And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ NKJV)]

But the New Testament holds Adam responsible :-
"For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, .......... (Romans 5:19 NKJV)"

How that's so ?
God gave the instruction about not eating the fruit even before Eve was created...
Verse .17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:17 NKJV)"
Thereafter 
Verse.22 Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. (Genesis 2:22 NKJV)

It appears that God had given that instructions to Adam directly and that means he is responsible. He was expected to convey it to Eve and ensure that it was followed. But, Adam fails in all these counts..

1) He could't get Eve to follow God's (only) commandment ;
2) He ended out violating that commandment himself ; and
3) He blamed God and Eve ( The serpent) for the whole mess..

It is no wonder the humans behave the same way even now !!!!

Inspiration for this write-up :- Rev. Sam P. Chelladurai ' Preaching 

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