Without Excuse

Do you believe God exists? Do you believe God created the heavens and the earth? Do you believe God created all that we see…and all that we don’t? Do you believe God created you in his own image? Do you believe Jesus is the only way to salvation from your sins? I hope you answered yes to all of these questions. And, already have a great love, respect and awe of God almighty. If not, then I am certain you have your reasons. Presumably you have some rational or excuses why you do not believe in God. Perhaps you have attended church or know some believers. And those experiences have turned you off. You may feel that “those people” are not genuine; or maybe even hypocrites. And you don’t want to be associated with them; because you are better than that. Maybe your family and friends ridicule folks that believe in God and the bible; and you don’t want them to ridicule you. Maybe you are part of a religion that hates people that believe differently than you. Maybe your pride won’t allow you to admit that you might be wrong? Maybe you have unanswered questions or doubts. Don’t we all? Whatever your reasons, whatever your beliefs, whatever your excuses, know that none of them will be able to persuade God. In the following pages, you will find a few examples of common excuses people use to not accept God and his plan of salvation. I hope you find them not only thought provoking, but also spiritually challenging. So much so, that you honestly examine yourself. It seems as some folks are relying on “if/then” arguments or excuses for their choice to reject God; such as: a. If God had only given us some laws or rules to live by, then we would understand what is right and wrong; and could have followed them.

Actually God did give us some laws to live by so that discerning right and wrong wouldn’t be based on people’s opinions; but rather His opinion. Some people’s opinions change like the wind; but God does not change. The Ten Commandments are listed here. But he also gave us many more as recorded in the first five books of the Old Testament. Also known as the Pentateuch.

I’m too bad. I have done so many bad things; God could never forgive me. I was born to be wild; and I can’t change my ways. I can’t help who I am. I have done so many things that I am ashamed of that I could never be forgiven. I have hurt so many people. I have committed so many crimes. I could never stop living this way. There is an evil inside of me that I cannot control. The Devil made me do it. God made me this way; therefore, I am not to blame for my actions. It’s his fault that I am the way that I am. I must have some bad wiring; because I get all mixed up and do bad things. I am too bad to be loved by anyone. How could God ever love me? I hate this world. I don’t care about anyone; and no one cares about me. Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2 Left to our own choices, we will all rebel against God. That will lead us to turn and walk away from God into the darkness of sin. Our sin is the unrighteousness that separates us from God. Repentance is when we stop, turn around, accept Jesus, and begin to walk toward the light of God’s love, truth, and righteousness.