Many years ago, I heard about a man who went to his neighbor's house to borrow an ax. His neighbor told him that he could not loan his ax. When he asked "why," the neighbor explained, "I cannot loan you my ax because I will be using it to make buttermilk." The first man quickly responded, "But, you don't use an AX to make buttermilk!" His neighbor continued his explanation, "That's true, but any excuse will do when you don't want to loan your ax." Isn't it true that when someone asks, "Why didn't you...?" or "Why did you....?" or "Why don't you....?" we often feel compelled to offer an excuse. Making excuses is not new. It is a practice that is almost as old as man.
In the garden of Eden, God asked Adam, "Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" Adam's excuse was, "The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I did eat." Of course, Eve also had to blame someone else for her sin, so she said, "The serpent beguiled me and I did eat." (Genesis 3:12-13)
Some, in an effort to excuse themselves, go from blaming others to lying. Aaron, for example, lied when Moses asked him, "What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?" Aaron, who had built a golden calf for the people to worship in the wilderness, explained to Moses, "Thou knowest the people, that they are (set) on evil. For they said unto me, 'Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.' And I said unto them, 'Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off:' so they gave it me; and I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf." (Exodus 32:21-24) In an effort to excuse himself, Aaron lied, for he had used a graven tool to fashion this golden calf.
Some convince themselves that their EXCUSES are legitimate reasons, and they are offended when others question their reasons. In Luke 14:15-24, we read of some who were invited to a great supper: "And they all with one (consent) began to make excuse. The first said unto him, 'I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it; I pray thee have me excused.' And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused.' And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come." (Luke 14:18-20) These people had taken things which were, in themselves, right and honorable and used them as excuses for not attending the great supper. This was simply a matter of their priorities. Many things that are not, within themselves, sinful eventually take priority over our service to God. We know that blaming others for our shortcomings is not right. We should understand that lying to excuse our failures is also sinful. However, we often allow the "cares of this world" to overcome us (Luke 8:14) and "bring no fruit unto perfection." Often, our biggest problem is our priorities and where they really lie.
Brethren, let us honestly and objectively think about our excuses. Consider some of the following excuses for failing to worship and attend Bible study classes.
"Too many inconsistent members worship there." Supposing this is true, does it really excuse MY disobedience? On Judgment Day, an excuse will be of little comfort. Thereafter, I will spend eternity with those hypocrites with whom I refused to worship while here on earth.
"Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judges another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against them that practice such things. And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practice such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God." (Romans 2:1-3)
"Some of the members have mistreated me." Supposing this is true, the Scriptures teach us how to resolve this problem (Matthew 18:15-18; cf. Matthew 5:23-24). God's way is always the best way. Jesus taught, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15) Jesus said, "If you love me you will keep my commandments." (John 14:23) My loyalty should be to the Lord; I will not lose my soul because someone has mistreated me. On the last day, this will serve as a shallow excuse for my disobedience.
"We had company last Sunday." This is a common excuse. Jesus taught, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37) Family and friends are important to us, and these temporal relationships enrich our lives, but my family and friends need to know that the Lord is the One I love the most. Jesus said, "But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness." (Matthew 6:33) How can I convert those I love to the Lord if I let them see that other things are more precious to me than He is? Certainly, this would compromise my influence on them. Why not ask your company to come with you? If they refuse, tell them to make themselves at home, and you will return following the church's worship service. Only through such actions will you ever convince them that your love for God comes FIRST in your life!
"I let the children sleep late on Sunday mornings." Beloved parents, we are responsible before God to "bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4) If we allow them to stay up late on Saturday night and then sleep late on Sunday morning, or play hard on Sunday afternoon and be too tired to attend the Sunday evening worship, or play in the park on Wednesday afternoon and be too worn out to attend the Wednesday night Bible study, we have a problem! These excuses will not justify our failure to exercise our responsibility for our children. Don't be surprised when your children grow up to be just what you have taught them to be--UNFAITHFUL TO THE LORD. What is the most important aspect of their upbringing? Spiritual matters must come first! Parents are willing to make every effort to keep their children from physical harm, and well they should. Yet, many do not even consider the greater danger to their souls if they're led away to become members of Satan's army. Children have plenty of energy; get them out of bed!
"I have to earn a living, so I work overtime when it's offered." Can you choose to accept or reject overtime when your employer offers it? Why not make a rule that you will work overtime every day except Sunday and Wednesday? What are we telling the Lord? What are we saying to our children? How do we show love for our brethren? Will having more money to afford a nicer car, a nicer home, and a few additional luxuries here on earth be worth losing my soul at the Judgment? Sadly, many members of the Lord's church use this excuse; it indicates that their priorities are in the wrong place. Worship services are not the sum total of Christianity, but our willingness to attend does show where our hearts are!
This is just a sampling of all-too-common excuses. Beloved brethren, let us consider carefully our excuses and try harder to make sure our priorities are in the right place. The soul you save may be your own, or perhaps your child's.