Excuses

Luke 14:18 “But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’

There are many Scriptures which cause me to pause and think about why they were written. One of these is in the book of Job. For thirty nine chapters, Job endured his friends explaining life to him in the middle of what was his traumatic experience.

Let me share the verse with you:

Job 40:7 “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me:

You see, Jesus showed up as clearly, He had enough of the nonsense. The men were all speaking as if they truly understood the workings of Heaven, God and what is breathtaking is Jesus had listened to the whole thing.

“Now prepare yourself like a man!”

Over the last couple of years, I have noticed a trend in the Body of Christ. This trend isn’t a good one. The trend I’m talking about is with the Body of Christ making excuses for bad behavior. Let me give you some examples of what that looks like to me.

“I can’t make the service tonight, I’m tired!”

“I don’t know why I’m sick right now. It must be cold season.”

“I’m sorry that I didn’t call you, I was…”

“My shoulder hurts and I wonder if you would pray for me. I injured it thirty years ago and it is hurting today.”

The list of excuses are way to long to include them here.

Can I suggest something which is worth thinking about? When we make excuses before God, who is ever listening to us, we are sinning. And if you don’t remember, God turns away from sin. Oh, He is still listening, but He is not going to bless the sinner’s life in the middle of their sin.

Excuses are dirty words before God. He hates His Created words being used in this manner. From God’s perspective, we will never have any excuse before Him. We either walk rightly before Him or we don’t.

Look around! Today, people say whatever feels right to them. They don’t care what others think and speak as if God isn’t listening. When corrected, they make an excuse as to why they were self-justified in their actions. Oh, precious Saint! Listen to me. If you were to stand in front of a Judge, do you think you are going to get off by making some excuse as to why you are in his or her courtroom? Of course not. How much more with God, who is a Judge?

The best advice I can make here is this. If you have allowed yourself to be obligated to do something, stop making excuses, do that thing. God is watching. If you have made a vow before God to perform a certain something, do it! You will never be free to make an excuse with God. People tried in the Scriptures, but their lips moving didn’t avail a thing for them.

Know that every word which proceeds out of your mouth is being weighed spiritually. And God is going to hold you accountable to them. Do not think for a moment God will release you just because you are a nice person. Forget that thinking! God is not only going to hold you to your word, He will make you perform them until they are completed. Even if they are wrong before God. Without repentance, your vows stand.

Please! Stop making excuses as to why you won’t do what you said you would. God is watching your life and the outcome is going to be determined by your words.

Rom 3:4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

I care about your future and life. Be accountable to others and yourself. This is a safe place to walk before A Mighty God.

With love for you

Pastor Jeff