Excuses, Excuses...

My father-in-law has a saying, “When you’re looking for excuses, any one will do.” I’ve been thinking lately about how major events throughout the Bible illustrate whatever excuse we may have for not following Christ or worshipping God, it’s just that, an excuse. So, let’s take a quick stroll through time to see several excuses that God dispels through example.

Excuse #1: Too many rules.

For Adam and Eve, only one rule existed. God told them not to eat from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A simple test. Humanity would not experience what it was to know good and evil until they broke the one rule. Even so, the temptation proved too great for the woman, and thereafter the woman proved too great a temptation for the man. Do not deceive yourself into thinking you would’ve done better. In Eden, we learned that simplicity doesn’t insulate humanity from failure and disobedience.

Excuse #2: Too difficult.

Is it? God said to Cain, “If you do good, well and pleasing, will you not be accepted and upraised?” (I’m only looking at the meaning of the words here to arrive at this version of what He said.) What more, O Man and Woman, does God ask of you than this: Do what is right, love kindness and mercy, and walk humbly with a proper attitude of love and respect toward your God? Is that really so hard? For those tossed by the seas of life without a lighthouse or life jacket, it’s not so simple. But for those set free by the Son, it really couldn’t be any easier.

Excuse #3: Not enough time.

Before the flood in the days of Noah, people lived a really long time: Methuselah lived 969 years. And yet, for all that time, we did no better. God felt the need to end us because of the wickedness of humanity. More time won’t fix us. Only more desire to commit to God will make the difference.

Excuse #4: God doesn’t show an interest in people’s lives.

Doesn’t He? “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham My friend, I have brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners.” The words translated “My friend” could also mean “My beloved.” Who are these descendants of Abraham? Those who have faith are the children of Abraham.

Excuse #5: God doesn’t care about our personal lives and problems.

Really? God knows the plans He has for you, O Beloved. On every road acknowledge God, and He will make your path smooth, straight, and right—even pleasing. (Look to the meanings of words.) You are worth more than many sparrows and flowers, which He delights to lavish great care, nourishment, and engineering upon.

Excuse #6: God won’t tell us what He wants.

Hasn’t He? Love the Lord, with all that you are, think, feel, and do. Love the family of God. Serve one another in Christ. Love your neighbor. Who is my neighbor? Who isn’t? Love your enemy. Bless and do not curse. Pray for those who misuse and oppose you.

Excuse #7: The devil made me do it, or some variation upon that theme.

At the end of this age, Satan will be bound until the end of the next age. Yet our Lord must still rule over humanity with an iron rod. And the moment our enemy is released to test the people of the earth, they will have the last excuse they seek for one final rebellion, for they will march and surround the camp of God’s people, the city He loves. We will all pass through the flames, and all we are and make will be tested in the fires of God’s forge.

What then shall we do? Acknowledge our brokenness, turn to Him, and commit wholly to God our life, love, and time. He will meet you where you are. He won’t leave you as He finds you. Whether He transforms you in one moment or prunes the branches of your life over decades, you will, if you endure, become the person He always meant for you to be. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has conceptualized what God prepared for those who love Him, but His Holy Spirit revealed it to us. As children of God we know this: What we will be has not yet been revealed, but when we see Him, we shall be like Him; we shall see Him, as He is, the Ever-Existent One.