Who is responsible?

Romans 3:5-8

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.)
6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world?
7 But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?
8 And why not do evil that good may come?-as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. – Romans 3:5-8

Paul tries to answer this argument: that our wickedness serves as a contrast to the holiness of God so how can God judge us? As He created us surely what ever occurs is His responsibility? But the crux of the matter is that we were created with free will. This is actually the most wonderful gift from God. We can choose to love Him or choose to reject His love. Therefore we are responsible for our decisions, not God. However one of the most amazing and wonderful attributes of God is that He can use all things to his glory. Even the wicked choices we make.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

You can see examples of that in the Old Testament.  For example when the wicked nations, like Assyria, took the Jewish people captive. Assyria was wicked and God judged them as a nation but He still used them for His purposes to chastise Judah. In the New Testament some would point to Judas as say that if he had not betrayed Jesus God’s purpose of salvation through the death of His Son on the cross and His resurrection would not have happened. But Judas was responsible for his decision. God knew what he would do. It was prophesied in the psalms:

Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. – Psalm 41:9

And Jesus prophesied it would happen.

For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” – Mark 14:21

But, ultimately Judas will be held responsible for what he did when he stands before God and has to give account for his life. Peter betrayed Christ but he repented and sought forgiveness. Judas became sorrowful for what he did but instead of turning to Christ for forgiveness (which he would have received by grace) he hung himself (Matthew 27:3-10).

We can not make the excuse “God made me so it is His fault that I am the way I am, and do the sinful things I do.” He created us with free will. The decisions we make are our own responsibility and we will have to give account to Him one day for our words and our hearts actions. But despite all our sins, rebellion, iniquity and transgressions God has everything in control and His purposes will be achieved. It is beyond comprehension how He can achieve this but time after time history shows He is faithful and His will will be done despite the wickedness of mankind.