Who Sinned?

“And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” – John 9:2 (NKJV)

Are you facing a difficult situation? Are you facing self-condemnation? Are you wondering about the cause of your current trials?

There are times when we face difficulties that seem so tough to bear and hard to understand, that we easily conclude that the problem is the cause of some unknown sin on our part or our parents’. In some cases, others around us may come to the same conclusion, especially when it seems that our difficulties tarry a long time or we face one challenge after another.

Of course, these thoughts are not without biblical precedent; Romans 6:23 states “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” and Exodus 20:5 says, “…you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me”. Notwithstanding, personal problems or tragedies are not always the consequences of one’s sin or the sin of parents; they are sometimes permitted by God because we live in a sinful world, and they are opportunities for God to be glorified.

In John 9, Jesus sees a man who was born blind from birth. His disciples immediately conclude that this man’s misfortune is due to some type of sin on his part or the part of his parents. They ask Jesus, “…who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” Jesus responds with the following statement, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” Jesus’ response helps us not to allow the devil to cause us to pass judgment on ourselves or others without knowing all the facts. It also helps us to know how to pray for others and ourselves when we face difficult situations. Jesus goes on to heal the blind man; which becomes a manifestation of the power of God the Father working through His Son Jesus Christ.

Of course, there are times when we will face the consequences of our sins. However, even in those times, we cannot allow the devil to cause us to become defeated through self-condemnation. Self-condemnation is of the devil. It is the enemy’s weapon to hinder us from walking in the promises of God for our lives. Remember this scripture, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

If you do sin against God, call on Jesus’ free legal defense. His legal firm has never lost a case and He is always ready to come to the defense of His followers at no charge to them. 1 John 2:1-3 states, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

Should you be a victim of the sins of your parents, remember that although “the iniquities of the father are visited upon the children to the third and fourth generation God shows mercy to thousands, to those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Exodus 20:5-6).

Sin is a devastating thing with devastating consequences that are sometimes irreversible. Although you can be forgiven, the consequences caused by sin are sometimes irreversible. The key to walking in divine favor as a kingdom business steward is to avoid sin at all costs. Do not get lured by its short term promises; read the fine prints which reveal the long term devastation and disclaimers.

Whatever your current challenge is, know that it is not necessarily because of your sins or your parent’s sins. However, if it is, you should seek forgiveness from the Lord, reject self-condemnation and enjoy the abundant life that Jesus promises.

My prayer for you today is that God will grant you the wisdom not to condemn yourself but trust in the forgiveness of Jesus and His ability to be glorified in your current trials.