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 as old as man.

Some blame others. 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). We know that blaming others for our shortcomings is not right.

Some lie. 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, because he had fashioned this golden calf with a graving tool.

Some lie to themselves. Convincing themselves that their EXCUSES are legitimate reasons these 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. Also, we should understand that lying to excuse our failures is sinful! However, we often are overcome by “worldliness” (I John 2:115ff), the “cares of this world” (Luke 8:14), and “bring no fruit unto perfection.” More often than not we are our own worst enemy.

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 hypocrites in the church.” 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).


• “Someone has mistreated me.” 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 must be to the Lord. I am here to worship HIM. I will not lose my soul because someone has mistreated me.


• “I had company last Sunday.” 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; 10:34ff). 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?


• “I am afraid of Covid.” Multitudes have been panic driven to purchase items deemed necessary to prepare for COVID-19. (Remember the rush to buy toilet paper?) Yet there is no consciousness of the devastating and eternal consequences of sin. While there are legitimate health concerns, let us plead with those who are lost to be terrified of facing the judgment “unprepared to meet thy God.” Consider the value of one soul. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 KJV). Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). Brethren, we all grow weary of Covid related issues, but there is work to do! “For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another” (Romans 14:18-19). Put on your seatbelt and come let us worship God together (cf. I Corinthians 11:17-34)!

This is just a sampling of excuses that are all too common. Beloved, let us consider one another. Remember who you are! “Ye are the salt of the earth … Ye are the light of the world.” Live your life with purpose, “that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). If you are going to influence others, your light must function to give direction to those who practice sin. The soul you save may be your own.