As baseball fans await Sunday, March 30th, Opening Night for MLB as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks will meet in Sydney Australia, its time to freshen up on the lingo used in America’s pastime. Whenever a clutch or power hitter faces a pitcher with runners in scoring position on either second or third base, its not uncommon to intentionally or unintentionally walk this player to face a less dangerous batter. Great pitchers will try to fool these individuals with throws that look like a good pitch before falling out of the strike zone. Although they may give up a walk, broadcasters will use the phrase, unintentional / intentional pass.
In life, this term has become too familiar, excusing individuals for their actions, behavior and comments. Like Adam in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:12, people have become experts in playing the blame game, passing the buck to someone else more fitting. To escape punishment, rationalization has become a way of life to avoid consequences, shifting all the responsibility like a dishonest politician. If this trend continues, no one will accept blame or take the fall, dodging the truth with distortion and lies.
According to Moses in Leviticus 4:22 and 4:27, unintentional sin is a common occurrence. If someone has not heard, does not know or hasn’t been properly informed about God’s command, this individual is deemed amoral, not knowing right from wrong. However, once this information has been clarified, no intentional passes should be granted. Guilty parties should follow the principle set forth by Jesus’ own brother, James 5:16. Since Jesus has become today’s great high priest, no shedding of blood is necessary anymore, Hebrews 4:15-17. Thus, when you are convicted of a trespass against one of the Bible’s laws, approach the throne of grace with confidence God will pass over your sin, leading you around the bases of life.
Do you have a story of starting over that you’d like to share with my readers?
by Jay Mankus
