No Passing the Buck

Passing the buck is the art of evading responsibility for ones own actions. But if we’re the ones responsible then we’re to own it. President Harry Truman kept a sign on his desk that understood this reality. It said, “The Buck Stops Here.”

“When Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders.

“‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’” (Matthew 27:3-4)

After Judas betrayed Jesus, he was remorseful and tried to give the money back, but the Jewish elders refused saying his sin was not theirs, and blood money could never buy his forgiveness. Judas alone was responsible for his sin and had to bear the consequences.

Harsh but accurate!

Even though others may join us in our sin, whether that sin is rebellion, gossip, slander, or inappropriate sexual relationships, the consequences of the sin is ours alone to bear. We cannot say, “Well they enticed me,” or “They are just as much to blame.”

The sin is ours and we must deal with it accordingly. We cannot throw either our money or good works at it thinking that this compensates or forgives. Instead we need to confess it to God and ask for forgiveness.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

It’s only in the humility of confession that forgiveness comes, not from just being sorry.

“Your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

The buck, that is, the sin is ours, and we must confess and repent, and stop passing it off to others.