Offering excuses

Have you ever noticed how many excuses people can come up with when they really don’t want to do something? Some of the excuses people come up with are often very inventive.

Frequently people try to excuse themselves from guilt when a wrong has been committed. So often people will cast blame toward another person in order to excuse themselves.

Still others may cast the blame for their behavior on a bad environment, or a bad upbringing. It’s as though people don’t want anything to be “their fault.”

The Bible gives several examples of people that didn’t want to be at fault.

In Genesis 3, the first man and woman are seen eating of the forbidden fruit, and the first sin of the world was committed. Adam and Eve both offered several excuses for themselves trying to excuse their wrong. Notice the words of Genesis 3:12, 13: “Then the man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’ And the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” Neither Adam nor Eve wanted to own up to their transgression.

In Exodus 4, Moses spoke with God before the burning bush. Moses is seen giving several excuses to God, so he won’t have to go back to Egypt. In Exodus 4:10 we read, “Then Moses said to the Lord, ‘O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.’” In Exodus 32, Moses spoke with his brother, Aaron. Verses 21-24 tell us of Aaron’s excuse for making a golden calf to worship.

Notice his words in verse 24: “And I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.”

Many excuses were given for not attending the great supper that had been prepared in Luke 14:16-24.

Verses 18-20 state, “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.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’” Man offers excuses for many things. How many times have we told ourselves, “It’s not my fault,” “I don’t have time now” or “Perhaps later”? You may be able to think of many times you have used these, or similar statements. The very worst thing we can make excuses for is our lack of making spiritual preparation. People can make all kinds of excuses for not obeying the Lord, even though Jesus commanded, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Excuses are offered for not serving God faithfully, even though Jesus commanded, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Excuses are often made for not reading the Bible for ourselves, so that we may be certain to know the truth of God’s word. Many instead are satisfied to just listen to someone else’s ideas. But ask yourself this question: “Since God does not accept excuses, what excuse will I be able to offer in the Judgment Day for not obeying Him according to His teaching?”

Jesus instructed us in Matthew 7:21-23 saying, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”