I Have Decided to Make Excuses

From time to time we sing the wonderful words, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” What great sentiments to express! I always want to be known as the type of person that will put obedience to my Lord as my highest priority. However Satan tempts us to live a different type of life, one full of excuses.

Everybody else does it. The judgment is a very personal matter. Paul exhorts us to work out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12). Every man faces his own deeds on judgment day (II Corinthians 5:10). We mustfollow Jesus in spite of what other men may do. A great danger for the Christian is to be influenced by the world’s standard. Without even realizing it we can allow Satan to remove us from God’s will just by what the world is doing.

I don’t have time right now. Everybody has the same amount of time. What differs from person to person are the choices made to fill that time. Fill your time with God’s things first (Ephesians 5:16). The point is we always seem to be able to find the time to do what we want to do. This desire can be channeled toward spiritual goals and growth (Matthew 6:33).

I’m not very good at that. Many are guilty of refusing to memorize scripture claiming, “I don’t have a very good memory.” However I find that most of us can memorize the way to drive home from work without a map. Very few among us cannot recall the words to the pledge of allegiance or one of our favorite songs. Repetition, better known as hard work, is the key to memory. We might be tempted to apply this excuse to various areas of Christian service (Colossians 3:23).

I’m afraid. To fear is normal but to allow fear to keep you from doing what you know is right is abnormal. We should follow the example of the first christians and pray for boldness (Acts 4:29). We might be afraid of failure, rejection, pain, difficulty, inconvenience, being mocked by our peers, or any number of things. However these fears and more are recorded to be conquered by God’s people in His word. Remember that the excuse of fear is not accepted by our Lord (Matthew 25:25).

If you have decided to follow your Lord without turning back then don’t allow excuses to keep you from fully obeying His word. If you decide not to make excuses you can overcome any obstacle Satan puts in the path between you and God’s holiness. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded” (James 4:7-8).