William Barclay said, “The greatest of sins is to be conscious of no sin…”

As I watch the news and think about the many troubles in our nation, I see people placing blame on others but not themselves for these troubles. 

I’m not suggesting any of us should blame ourselves unjustly. But as Jesus said, “He who is without sin cast the first stone.”

The problem that rises from not admitting our hearts are sinful is that we furnish our hearts inappropriately. We blame others in an attempt to look better than we are. And we exaggerate our goodness because pride causes us to refuse to know our own sin.

No doubt there is a certain amount of truth in people’s blame, but unwillingness to admit sin in our own hearts only leads to over exaggeration of other people’s sin. 

For example, one person accuses another person of being a racist because they assume what they see or hear is racially motivated. But, because they justify or let their own inconsistencies slide, they are unwilling to admit that they may have misread the other person’s intentions and draw false conclusions. 

That’s the culprit behind much of the violence in our nation. When people don’t deal with the depth of their own sin, they react unreasonably with someone else’s. And as a result, people continue to blame and some even justify acts of violence. So, as long we do not ask the question: “What role might my own sin play in this?” trouble will probably continue and often escalate.

What needs to happen so people quit blaming each other for all the troubles we face? 

We need a fresh look at people from God’s perspective. 1 Samuel 16:7 (NLT) says, “…The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

What does God see when he looks at our hearts? He sees people in desperate need of his love and forgiveness. 

What does he want from us in return? He wants us to cry out to him for help with broken hearts. 

I like how the psalmist described it. 23: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24: Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)

We all want to see unity in our nation. We could have it in minutes, without government assistance, or a radical overhaul of our major systems, by yielding to one simple request from God. Lord God, I admit I’m a sinner, forgive me and please give me loving kindness like you have for others.” Amen.

— Rick Haworth is pastor of Hope Evangelical Free Church in Monroe.