Excuse: March 4, 2010

March 4. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 4, 2010.

EXCUSE

DEFINITION:

Pardon; forgive; apologize for; justify; to remove the blame.

SCRIPTURE:

“If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.” John 15:22.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

How many times have you heard someone give an excuse for something not completed or not done? It does not seem to make a difference if one is young or old, excuses for our actions seem to be the normal way to act. Most excuses are given to justify laziness. We do not know how many times we have heard the excuse from those that are honest about it, that they just did not feel like doing what they should have done.

We use excuses to justify our inaction. You have often heard, “I was just so busy that I could not get around to doing it?”Most excuses are what we would call “lame.” They are a lot like the child that tells his teacher that he cannot turn in his homework because “the dog ate it.”

In John 15, Jesus was teaching His disciples the gospel message and what to expect when they would be the ones teaching others. Just as Jesus and His message were rejected by many, He told them that they also would have their message rejected. This is still true today. As believers we must continue to tell all those we can, through our words and deeds, of Jesus love and plan of redemption knowing that at times our message will be rejected. Those who accept Jesus will be saved, but those who reject Him will “have no excuse for their sin” when they meet God.

In Luke 14:15-24 Jesus shares what is called the parable of the great supper. The master, the parable says, invited most of his friends and neighbors to a great feast. They all gave excuses as to why they could not come, because they had more pressing and important matters to attend to. Jesus likened there excuses to all the excuses that are given when people are invited to know Jesus as their Savior.

Again, so many people give excuses as to why they cannot accept Jesus. Many just do not want to change their ways. Others say they do not have to worry about it now but want to wait till later in their lives. These are all excuses that are not acceptable to our Lord. Excuses for rejecting Jesus leaves the person who makes them with no excuse in God’s sight.

In Romans 1:18-20 the writer talks about the end-time judgment of men when the wrath of God that will come against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. At that time it will be too late for excuses. He goes on to tell us that since the creation of the world God’s invisible attributes are clearly seen, even His eternal power and Godhead so that they are without excuse.

God has revealed Himself in His creation. In this universe we see His Intelligence, His beauty, His power, and His provisions. Those who reject God have no excuse. Salvation is available to all just for the asking and excuses such as not knowing or waiting until later are not acceptable.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Matthew 6:33.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

PRAYER:

Lord, I accept You today as my creator, my God, and my Savior. Help me to get rid of the excuses that seem to control my life and keep me from serving You. May my family learn to trust and serve You without excuses.