What’s Your Excuse?

“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’”  Luke 14:18  NIV

Excuses – Let’s see if we can list those holy-sounding excuses we use to not serve God.

I have to wait for an open door.          Doors have knobs, hinges, and locks.  Use them to open the door yourself.  No closed door in the world should stop you if you know God is on the other side.

I don’t want to be spread too thin.      Who do you think you are, Miracle Whip spread?  With that attitude, you can’t expect to whip up miracles.

I need to pray about it first.                If the Word says to do it, do you think your praying will change God’s mind?  You don’t need to pray about being obedient.  You just need to be obedient.

I need to think about it first.               You mean you want your mind to overrule your spiritual heart?   If it’s at hand, and on your heart, and in the Word, —  JUST DO IT.

I don’t want too many irons in the fire           Throw in more iron.  Iron sharpens iron and fire purifies.

I don’t want to miss God.                   Are you more likely to miss God being obedient to the His word or are you more likely to miss God in front of the TV, or on the golf course, or on your job?

I don’t want to run ahead of God.      Do you really think you can out-run God?

I don’t want to get burned out.           You don’t have to worry about being burned out if you refuse to get fired up.  The best way to avoid burn-out is to remain lukewarm.

I have to wait on the Lord.                 He has already told you what to do in His Word.  Do you need to be told twice?  Are you waiting on Him or is He waiting on you?

I have to wait until I feel led by the Lord            While you are waiting, be obedient to the               commandments.  You might discover waiting isn’t worth it.

I have to count the cost first.              Why count?  It costs everything.

Acting now may not be  God’s timing.              Now is the day of salvation.  Tomorrow isn’t.

That’s not my calling.                         Very few children of God have a specific calling but all have a  calling to be obedient.

That’s not my gifting.                         The Bible tells us that Moses and Paul were not gifted speakers.  Look what God accomplished through their words.  If we didn’t have weaknesses, we wouldn’t need God.

God works in mysterious ways.         His ways are mysterious to those who don’t know Him.   The mystery of God’s wisdom is hidden from a natural man but God reveals it to His children who are mature, who love Him, and who    are spiritual (I Corinthians 2 ).   Yeshua said  “My sheep hear My voice” (John 10:27).   And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but those who are outside get every thing in parables, in order that while seeing, they may see and not perceive; and while hearing, they may hear and not understand lest they return and be forgiven.”  Mark 4: 11-12.

It may not be God’s will.                    God’s will is spelled out in His words.  Do it if it is there.  Don’t do it if it’s not there.

Ephesians 2:8 says that we are saved by grace, not by works.         Ephesians 2:10 says that we are saved for works.

I can’t get into debt.  It’s a sin.           Debt is not a sin if it’s a tool when used for God’s work.  The Good Samaritan used his credit with the innkeeper to take care of the man who was robbed  (Luke10:35). Paul used his credit with Philemon to take care of debts incurred by Onesimus (Philemon 18).

I don’t feel peace about it.                  Yeshua didn’t come to bring peace but a sword and an axe.  Try sharpening your weapons before you retire from battle.

Topical Index: excuses, Luke 14:18