My Bible Studies and Comments, Excuses Excuses

My Bible Studies and Comments

Excuses Excuses

Click here to listen
Blame someone else. Procrastination. What will this cost me? It's not my job. We can't do that. Too much trouble. I will, but:

Blame someone else:
Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

I'll bet he was afraid.

Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Gen 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

It seems that man's been blaming woman ever since.

Gen 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Again, it was someone else's fault. This one reminds me of the old TV program, Flip Wilson. His favorite phrase was, "The devil made me do it".

Procrastination:
Paul at Mars Hill:
Acts 17:32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Paul before King Agrippa:
Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Putting things off. I guess we're all guilty of this in some way or another. The Bible has a response to that.
2 Cor 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

What will this cost me?
Mat 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Mat 19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

The Bible has a response for this also.
Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Mark 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

It's not my job:
Gen 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

As it turned out, Cain was his brother's murderer.

We can't do that:
Num 13:31 But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

This statement is the reason the Israelites had to wonder around in the wilderness for forty years till those twenty years of age and above had died. Only two of that generation were allowed to enter into the promise land. How many times have you heard someone say, I can't do that, you can't do that, or, that can't be done? My 1st. grade teacher had a good saying, "Can't, never could do anything."

No excuse at all, or maybe too much trouble:
Luke 9:57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

This man wants to follow Jesus so bad. Right up front, Jesus lets him know what's in store if he does.

Luke 9:58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

The Bible doesn't state whether this man followed or not. He gave no excuse. I assume he followed Christ. Or maybe he thought it would be inconvenient, (too much trouble).

A polite way of saying no:
Luke 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Allow me to go bury my father? What kind of an answer is that? Or better yet what kind of excuse is that? Note, Jesus asked this man to follow Him.

See Luke 9:59 parallel column in E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible for explanation. Which is, "A euphemism for declining an invitation, as the Jews buried within twenty-four hours and didn't leave the house for ten days". ..... I guess a polite way of saying no.

I've read and heard a few different opinions about what this meant, but I tend to agree with Mr. Bullinger.

I will, but:
Luke 9:61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.

People can make up a lot of excuses to not work for God. I guess a lot of us have.

Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

What happens to one who looks back while plowing? You don't have to be a genius to figure that out. Once you start for God, never look back. Stay focused. God has work for you to do.

We have an old saying, "Boy, I've heard it all". I guess Jesus Truly has.

Thanks, for allowing me, to share this with you. Remember, to always, study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

In His Word,
Art Porter

[Home Page]