Excuse

Good day to each of you reading the column on the use of the word “excuse” and how this word is randomly inserted as a “copout” in today’s society to be “politically correct” and not to offend anyone.

The attacks upon the Christian have been going for years, but they have been heightened in the past few years by those who oppose God and view the Christian as an easy target.

Here, in the USA, Satan and his agents have succeeded in their efforts to take the Christian liberties that we have possessed for many years. Prayer and Bible Reading are gone in public schools, the Ten Commandments have been banished from public places, Roe vs. Wade and abortion is now the norm, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender is an accepted way of life, historic statutes of previous men and women who made positive contributions to building this country have been torn down, the “Black Lives Matter” movement, Covid virus limiting or eliminating church services, riots in the cities and businesses burnt, corrupt government officials, political officials selling their souls for the popular vote by making promises they can’t keep, corporations swallowing up small businesses, employers taking more and giving less to the employees, respect for the presidency, police and soldiers is a thing of the past and the list goes on and on.

When speaking to people about the state of current affairs, the word “excuse” comes to mind for many make an excuse or excuses for not getting involved, for not saying what is right, for not being “politically correct”, for not calling out those who represent what is wrong, for not being a Christian.

Turn to Matthew 13:1-9 (FF) “At this time, however, Jesus going out from the house, sat down by the sea. And a great crowd collected about Him, so that He ascended into a boat, and sat down in it, while all the crowd stood upon the shore. And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “It happened that a sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured it. “Another part fell upon stony land, where the soil was not deep enough; and it sprouted very quickly on account of the shallowness of the soil; but when the sun arose, it was scorched, and it also withered for want of root. And another lot fell among the thistles, and the thistles grew up and choked it. But the rest fell upon good land, and produced grain, some a hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty. Whoever has ears to hear, let him listen!”

Fellow Christian, look in the mirror and ask yourself, which seed are you? Many say we are nearing the time when Jesus will come back to earth and I, for one, look forward to that to that day.

We have established in Matthew 13:10-23 the breakdown of the parable of the sower and the seed. When reading this chapter (Matthew 13) Jesus offers “no excuses” to the crowd nor to the disciples. Jesus breaks down the parable of the sower, the rationale of parables, the parable of the weeds, the parable of the mustard and the explanation of the parables in simple and easy to understand language.

Jesus was not “politically correct”, did not beat around the bush, leave room for doubt, promise something that he could not accomplish, and provide false hope. Jesus did speak in layman’s terms, provided answers to questions, showed how people fall into four categories of their faith, and broke down for all to read the “do’s and don’ts” through the explanation of the parables.

At the time of the occurrence or the issue, man finds a way to excuse himself or make an excuse as to why he should or should not do what is right or wrong. His excuse may be thru procrastination, or he does not want to, or that he knows it is wrong, but what would another think, would he offend the crowd. How will his social status be affected, his economic status be affected, or those he was trying to impress? What excuse is so great that a man would betray his own faith, family, friends, or brethren? Why is it that we can find an excuse to do tomorrow what we should have done today? Why do we say nothing when we know the Pastor is wrong?

Why do we allow minority groups to run the country and we sit on the fence? Why do we sit idly by when we see a crime being committed or a neighbor in need? Why are we afraid to say anything at a social gathering when someone says something that offends you? Why do we allow those in political office to do what is wrong instead of what is right? Why do we talk the talk, but never walk the walk? Why do we allow false religions into our country? Why do we hear pastors say the Ten Commandments were meant only for the Old Testament and not today? Why do we allow murderers to go free? Why does the United States of America call itself a democracy when we pledge allegiance to the flag and to the republic for which it stands? Why do we read 50 shades of grey and forget our daily Bible reading? Why do we say God Bless America and wonder why we have so many problems? What has happened to Christians standing for something instead of falling for anything? What has happened to people asking questions about future leaders who are morally based, family first, and are working for the people.

Fellow Christian, ask yourself these questions for one day, your children may very well be asking you these same questions. What excuse or excuses can you provide to them?

As I close, here is the one burning question that each us must answer, and without any excuse—Did you acknowledge Jesus as your Saviour publicly before men/women or did you disown Jesus by providing an excuse?

What will be your excuse when given the situation to speak up? What are you waiting for, are you scared, not articulate, few words, afraid of the circumstances? Please read Matthew 13 and truly ask your self what type of Christian you are—when the situation bares, as long as it hurts no one, worries of this life or are you the producer. Matthew 10:32-33 (FF) Consequently, whoever declares for Me before men, I also will recognize him before My Father Who is in heaven; but whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father Who is in heaven.

In life, we are all met with choices and decisions—some good, some bad—But one thing I have learned, it is better to decide whether it was good and learn from it than an excuse on what would have, could have, or should have.

May you bless God in all and all!