Articles
Excuses Are No Good!
Excuses Are No Good!
Greg King
Nearly everyone is guilty of making an excuse at one time or another. It is interesting how our word "excuse" has developed in the English language. It meant originally, "to give a defense or reason for something." However, it has come to mean, "an unjustified or false reason for something, a false reason given to cover up the real reason." People often give excuses for not doing the will of God. There has been a mountain of excuses given for not obeying the gospel and becoming a Christian. Christians are sometimes guilty of devising ingenious excuses for not doing their duty toward God.
In Luke 14:16-24 Jesus gave a parable to combat excuse making. They were invited to "the great supper," but "they all with one accord began to make excuse." The first made an excuse regarding property or possessions (v. 18). It is highly unusual for one to buy land without first seeing it. Even if he had bought it sight-unseen, it was not necessary to go see it now. Why not first go to the feast? Many today excuse themselves for not doing the will of God because of property or possessions. They say, "Excuse me for not serving God, but I'm busy building a house, trying to find a house to buy, selling a house, cleaning or remodeling a house, landscaping my yard, buying a car, selling a car, repairing a car”, and the list goes on to infinity. What we notice in the parable is that God did not buy this excuse.
The second made an excuse in the realm of business or livelihood (v. 19). Again, this is a flimsy excuse. If he had already bought the oxen, he didn't need to be testing them during the time of the feast. How many excuse themselves from the Lord's invitation, the worship services, or the Lord's work because they have a business to run or a job that conflicts, yet never do anything to resolve the conflict? They claim they must do it to make a living and provide for their family. However, Jesus warned - John 6:27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal. What we see in the parable is that God did not buy this excuse.
The third made his excuse concerning family or relationships (v. 20). Again, what a sorry excuse! The invitation was given to all. Why not bring his new wife to the great feast? How many through the years have used the family as an excuse for not doing the will of God? In view of these things, consider Luke 10:41-42. “But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." What we see from the parable is that God did not buy any of the excuses.
Will you offer excuses or service to the Lord? We must not allow earthly matters to take priority over spiritual matters Matthew 6:33.
