Jesus Takes All the Blame Away – December 6, 2023

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:3,4,8,9

Jesus Takes All the Blame Away

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have you ever been blamed for something bad that happened? Was it your fault that someone got hurt or that something got broken? Have you ever broken a rule or said something that caused pain? Everyone has. Which means everyone can be blamed for something. Everyone is guilty of doing things wrong. Everyone knows this. You know this, right?

So how can the Bible say that we will be “blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ?” How can we be totally innocent when we know we’ve been guilty many, many times?

The messenger of Jesus named Paul has an answer in 1 Corinthians 1:3-9. God is the one who makes us blameless. God calls people to trust him as their king and their savior. He promises that all who trust him this way are treated as people who have no blame and no guilt. But this is no trick. The reason we are blameless is because Jesus was blameless in our place. The Bible says that when God looks at you, he sees someone who is as perfect as Jesus. And anyone who is blameless like Jesus receives all the rewards that Jesus has earned.

In the future, this means every believer will inherit life that never ends with Jesus in heaven. Right now, it means every believer receives the gift of a clean conscience. Sometimes we feel guilty and don’t want to show our face to other people because we are ashamed of something we have done. But God forgives all our sins, which means the people around us can forgive us as well. Moms and dads can forgive each other and their children. Brothers and sisters can forgive their parents and each other. Forgiveness makes hearts feel happier and brings peace to homes.

Of course, we don’t always forgive perfectly. But Jesus does. That’s how God can promise to hold us close and safe and blameless until the end. Because he is the faithful one. As long as we are in his hands then we are safe and sound—and blameless.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, we are often guilty of hurting or harming the people we love. Forgive us for our sins and take away our sadness. Give peace to us and in our home built on the sure knowledge that when we are in your hands, we are held blameless to the very end. Bring us to that great day. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Tell a time you took the blame for something wrong you did.
• Tell what it feels like to be guilty of hurting or harming someone.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Name two or three sad things that happen when we are guilty.
• Name two or three happy blessings that come when we are forgiven.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What does it mean to have a clean conscience?
• What does the Bible say is the way that God holds us blameless?