Without Excuse

Have you ever heard the old saying, “An excuse is just a gift wrapped lie?”

Perhaps you have not heard this saying, because excuses are so ubiquitous in modern society. Human beings have been making excuses for bad behavior since the dawn of history. As far back as the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve tried to make excuses for eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:11-13).

But, in Romans 1:18-21, the apostle Paul wrote, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

People who rejected God in the ancient world were “without excuse,” just like us, in the modern world, when we do the same.

The Scriptures show us that God does not accept excuses.

Romans 1:20 shows us that there is no excuse for denying the existence of God. In Luke 14:16-24, the parable of the great supper shows us that there is no excuse for refusing the Lord’s invitation.

In Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of the talents shows us that there is not excuse for being a poor steward of the Lord’s blessings.

In First Samuel 15:1-35, the story of King Saul’s refusal to obey the Lord’s commands shows us that there is no excuse for disobeying God, when He tells us what He wants us to do.

But, why do people make excuses, in the first place?

Sometimes, people make up excuses for their bad behavior, in order to avoid the consequences of their actions. This sort of activity is seen every day, in criminal court proceedings. Some are so desperate to escape punishment for the crimes they have committed that they will make up any excuse at all, which might help skew perceptions in their favor.

Sometimes, people will make up excuses for their bad behavior, in order to prevent others from casting them in an unflattering light. This sort of activity is seen frequently, in the world of politics. When politicians are caught in a scandal, they will make up any excuse at all, which might keep the tide of public opinion from turning against them.

Usually, people make up excuses for their bad behavior, in order to assuage their own feelings of guilt they have for what they have done. People become comfortable with their own sins by convincing themselves that what they did is not really all that bad, and that the Lord will surely not hold it against them. Hebrews 3:13 warns us not to be deceived by the “deceitfulness of sin,” which can lull us into a false sense of security. If we become comfortable with our sins, then we will not repent of them and we shall surely perish (Luke 13:3).

There are many reasons why we are without excuse, when it comes to our sinful behavior.

For one thing, God has shown us that He loves and cares for us by the grandest gesture of all: the sacrifice of His only begotten Son (Romans 5:8; John 3:16; Revelation 1:5; Galatians 2:20).

Also, we must consider the fact that others who have disobeyed the Lord have not fared so well (1 Corinthians 10:11; Romans 15:4).

Furthermore, we must admit that God has given us numerous opportunities to change our ways (2 Peter. 3:9; Ephesians. 5:16; James 4;14; 2 Corinthians 6:2). The gospel of Jesus Christ is such a simple thing for us to comprehend and to obey, that there is no excuse for failing to do so (Mark 12:37b).

The efforts of those who encourage us, pray for us, exhort us, plead with us, show concern for us, and teach us leave us without excuse for failing to do something about our sins (2 Corinthians 5:11; Acts 8:4; Hebrews 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14).

The blessings that God sheds so abundantly upon us make it so that there is no excuse for failing to yield to His will (Acts 14:17; Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1).

Excuses are a barrier between Earth and Heaven.

Instead of making up excuses about why we cannot get to Heaven, we ought to be making progress on the path of righteousness.

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Stop trying to justify your sins, and take ownership of them. That is the first step in the process of repentance, and Word of God declares that there can be no salvation from sin without repentance (Acts 17:30).