No Excuses

DEVOTION

PROVERBS

  NO EXCUSES

Prov 22:13

13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

NIV

It is quite obvious this lazy person is finding any excuse not to get out and work for his own sustenance. Please, I am so afraid of life out there, I am sure I will either be devoured by a lion if I go to work in the fields, can’t you just give me some food?  I am so afraid to go to the streets and find employment, surely someone will assassinate me, and can’t you please just provide me with money to live? Give us a break. This type of person preys on others, and in our culture today they prey on either the government or the church. The government, or at least some of the people in power, want as many as possible to be dependent on them, it is what keeps them in power, for as long as the government supports the sluggard, the sluggard votes for those who provide for him. But when it comes to the sluggard preying on the church, the community of believers, he knows full well we have been programmed to give to the poor. The sluggard knows enough of the scriptures to know Christians give to the poor out of a sense of duty to God. This is why all the bible missions in the poor areas of town are filled each dinner hour. Sure people are hungry. Yes, we should be showing them the love of God. Yes, some would say we need to feed their belly in order to attempt to feed their soul. It may be true that through such efforts some have come to the saving knowledge of Christ. But not the sluggard. He just wants a free ride through life, or thinks life or others owe him. These same type of excuses are given when the gospel is presented.  People make up all sorts of excuses, but no true reason, as to why they cannot accept Christ. In essence, they are afraid something is going to happen to them, they will die. That is exactly what will happen, they will die, but they will be born again a new creature in Christ. The sluggard says, I do not want to die, I like being the way I am. I do not want a change to occur in me, I like what I do and don’t do so just support me, the way I am. They do want what to hear about change. They do not want to hear about going out of their sin, and coming to Christ. Just accept me the way I am and support my lifestyle. There is a fine line between showing them the love of God and accepting their lifestyle. In true love there is truth, love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. If we love them as Christ does, we should be able to tell them the truth about their sluggard-like life. We should be able to tell them of the truth of God and let the chips fall where they may. We are not to judge, but we also are not supposed to let people simply live anyway they want without showing them the right path to walk. Just because a church gives to the sluggard or to true needs, does not mean they understand the gospel message and our giving is from the heart of God, not just an earthly based, faith based organization. But will a sluggard always be a sluggard? Only God knows. What we know for sure is the sluggard is always full of excuses. Let us not find ourselves making excuses to God for not doing that which he calls us to do. Let us not make some excuse that it might change our lives. Let us not give him the excuse we are afraid to go into the world and preach the gospel. Let us not give him an excuse we might be harmed in the streets, because we speak up for the truth. Fear is the weapon of the evil one. He keeps the sluggard from going out doing what he needs to do. When it comes to fulfilling the will of God, no excuses.