Devotion 

Culpability 

Frances Taylor 

This is an interesting passage because, among other things, it talks about sin and who is considered guilty of sin. Paul is talking about how he has been forgiven, how God has been merciful to him because his actions were committed in unbelief. In order for sin to be committed, one needs to know he is committing it. No one can commit sin in retrospect. Sin is always a deliberate act. This can be hard for some to understand. Actions can be considered sinful, even though the person committing them may not be culpable. For example, lying is a sin. However, is the two year old hiding behind the curtains sinning when he or she claims not to have broken the vase? No, because the child has no understanding of the difference between truth and lie. Those who do not have a relationship with God, who do not know the commandments, who have never heard of Jesus, may commit sinful actions, but are not guilty of sin. This is what Paul claims is his situation. Paul thought that he was following the commandment that says that there shall be no gods before God. He believed that the early Christians were committing idolatry be claiming that Jesus was divine. It was only after he was struck down by Jesus and came to understand that Jesus was truly the Christ, the Son of God, that he understood his previous actions as sin. He was extremely grateful to God for God's mercy and forgiveness. For most of us, we too can remember a time when our actions were less than what they should have been, when we too were ignorant. We, like Paul, should give thanks to God for showing us his mercy and forgiveness.

Prayer 

Gracious God, we thank you for all you have done for us. You have brought us from ignorance to the knowledge of you and your son. May we not judge others but show others the same mercy that you have shown us. Amen.