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Excuses

by Micky Galloway

When we are asked, “Why didn’t you…? or “Why did you…? or Why don’t you…?” we often feel compelled to offer an excuse. Making excuses is not new. It is almost as old a practice as man.

In the garden of Eden God asked Adam, “Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” Adam’s excuse was, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I did eat.” Of course, Eve also had to blame someone else for her sin and said, “The serpent beguiled me and I did eat” (Genesis 3:12-13).

Some go from blaming others to lying in an effort to excuse themselves. Aaron, for example lied when Moses asked him, “What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?” Aaron, who had built a golden calf for the people to worship in the wilderness, explained to Moses, “thou knowest the people, that they are (set) on evil. For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off: so they gave it me; and I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf” (Exodus 32:21-24). Aaron lied in an effort to excuse himself, for he had fashioned with a graven tool this golden calf.

Some convince themselves that their EXCUSES are legitimate reasons and are offended when their reasons are questioned. In Luke 14:15-24 we read of some who were invited to a great supper “And they all with one (consent) began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come” (Luke 14:18-20). These had taken that which was right and honorable in itself and used it as an excuse not to come to the great supper. This was simply a matter of priorities. There are many things that are not sinful in themselves that eventually take priority over our service to God. We know that blaming others for our shortcomings is not right. Also, we should understand that lying to excuse our failures is sinful. However, we often are overcome by the “cares of this world” (Luke 8:14) and “bring no fruit unto perfection.” More often than not our biggest problem is priorities.

Brethren, let us honestly and objectively consider our excuses. Consider some of the following excuses for failing to worship and attend Bible study classes.

There are too many inconsistent members who worship there.” Supposing this is true, does it really excuse MY disobedience to God? In the day of judgment, my excuse will be of little comfort. Thereafter I will be in eternity with the same hypocrites I refuse to worship with. “Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the same things. And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practise such things. And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?” (Romans 2:1-3).

Some of the members have mistreated me.” Supposing this is true, the Scriptures teach us how to resolve this (Matthew 18:15-18). God’s way is always best. Jesus taught, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). Jesus said, “If you love me you will keep my commandments” (John 14:23). My loyalty should be to the Lord and I will not lose my soul because someone has mistreated me. This will be only a shallow excuse for disobedience in that last day.

We had company last Sunday.” This excuse is quite common. Jesus taught, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). Family and friends are important to us and these temporal relationships endear our lives to us, but family and friends must know that I love the Lord most of all. Jesus said, “But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). How can I convert those I love to the Lord if I let them see that other things are more precious to me than the Lord? Certainly my influence upon them becomes compromised.

I let the children sleep late on Sunday morning.” Beloved parents, it is our responsibility before God to bring up our children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4 - KJV). If we let them stay up late on Saturday night and then sleep late on Sunday morning, or play hard on Sunday afternoon and miss worship to sleep Sunday evening, or perhaps we take them to the park and they are just too tired to attend Wednesday night Bible study, brethren we have a problem!!! These excuses will not justify our failure to exercise our responsibility for our children. Don’t be surprised when your children grow up to be just what you have taught them to be … UNFAITHFUL TO THE LORD.

This is just a sampling of excuses that are all too common. Beloved, let us consider carefully our excuses and try harder to make sure our priorities are in the right place. The soul you save may be your own or perhaps the soul of your child.

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