Author: Freddie T. Clayton
Last saved by: Freddie
Company: Dunlap church of Christ

Back To The Bible
What’s Your Excuse? #1
     We live in the age of alibi. There is a rationalization for any and every action. Whatever it is, we have the tendency to interpret our own actions in a good light. We’ve hear everything from “a lapse in judgment” to a “wardrobe malfunction.” Someone doing something absolutely foolish covers himself by saying, “I wasn’t myself” as if that makes it fine. Let’s think seriously about this ever increasing failure to take personal responsibility.
     People trying to justify their conduct by offering plausible excuses to convince others that their behavior is not as wrong or absurd as it actually is goes way back.. When they do so, they are using a defense mechanism as old as the fall of man. It may sound good, even be convincing to others, but it fails to accurately explain one’s actions. Why did Adam eat of the forbidden fruit? Here is what he told God, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Genesis 3:12). That makes perfect sense doesn’t it? Eve’s explanation fell short too, “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat,” (Genesis 3:13). It was the serpent’s fault. What they should have said, instead of making an excuse, an alibi, was “God, we did not believe that you were telling us the truth, so we believed something else, a lie. I guess now we are going to have to suffer the consequences.” Friends, those are the facts of the case. The truth would have been painful to their pride, but it was still the truth and their integrity in admitting the obvious would have made a better example.
     Think about the same principle today. We have the example of the very first man and woman, what they were told, their failure to take it seriously, and the terrible result of sin. Accounts like this are for our learning (Romans 15:4). Who takes God seriously anymore? I am not talking about the cheating, gambling, fornicating, beer drinking brawler either. Obviously, he/she has no concern for righteousness, and most of the time makes no excuses. I am referring to the people who claim to love the Lord and rationalize away their failure to do His bidding. Did not Jesus say, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? “ (Luke 6:46). Mark it down. Just as in the case of Adam and Eve, in order to believe the things that man has come up with people have to disbelieve what God actually says. In order to accept denominationalism, the “sinner’s prayer,” salvation by “faith only,” sprinkling babies, “clergy/laity” distinctions, titles like “reverend” and “father,” and on and on we could go, you have to disbelieve what God has actually said. On the day of Judgment there will be excuses aplenty, but none will suffice. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23). By the way, what is your excuse?
     Questions and/or comments concerning this article are welcomed. Write us at P.O. Box 206, Dunlap, TN 37327 or call (423) 949-3286 or 949-4339. Free Bible correspondence course available upon request.
Visit With The Dunlap Church of Christ Which Meets At 15964 Rankin Avenue.
Sunday Morning – 9:30,10:30; Sunday Evening – 6:00; Wednesday Evening 6:30
Watch  “Fabric  of  the  Family”  Sunday  At  6:00  A.M. On  WFLI-TV,  Channel  53.
Watch “Good News  For  Today” Sunday  At  6:30 A.M. On WFLI-TV, Channel   53.
Watch “In Search Of The Lord’s Way” Sunday At 7:00 A.M. On WDEF, Channel 12.
Watch  “Preaching  The  Gospel”  Sunday  At  7:30  A.M.  On  WGBN, Channel  11.
The Gospel Broadcast Network Is Channel 11 On The New Bledsoe Cable System.

Back To The Bible
What’s Your Excuse? #2
     An honest evaluation of the way things really are may have the tendency to smart a tad. By that I mean that sometimes the truth really does hurt. There are numerous things that are provably true that when somebody that really cares about us confronts us about stings because if its truthfulness. Some examples would be “You need to quit smoking, drinking, gambling, cussing, treating your wife/husband, children, employer/employees wrongly, etc.” If there really is a problem in these areas, the person bringing it to our attention with the hope that we will change is indeed a friend and to be treasured. While there certainly are Biblical reasons for addressing those things, right thinking people appreciate the truth about these matters from a practical standpoint. You will live longer and happier if these changes are made. However, what about the same principle being applied from the position of spiritual truth? The honest evaluation of the way things are in our surrounding area is this: people are what they are religiously for the same reason they are what they are politically, i.e., they were born that way. Friends, that is generally true and cannot be honestly and successfully denied. Lest you misunderstand the point, this is not a complement. 
     Think seriously about this! Do we not realize that by the failure to think, reason, and examine the evidence for ourselves most follow along a path they cannot scripturally and rationally explain nor defend from the Word of God? Then when someone cares enough to set forth plainly the truth we consider them our enemy? In no other area would we allow such foolish behavior except in the area that matter the most, i.e., that which pertains to our soul. This is not something new (Galatians 4:16), but it surely is sad. These things ought not so to be and here is where excuses oftentimes come in. Depending upon the preacher to tell the truth has resulted in the present confusion and conflict of denominationalism. In this humanly devised substitute for real Christianity everything and anything but the truth is believed, taught, and carefully guarded because, after all, they were born that way? Where is the person/persons willing to search the Scriptures seeking to find anything associated with denominationalism that is right, proper, scriptural, and in accordance with “the will of the Father which is in heaven,” (Matthew 7:21)? The truth frees (John 8:32) while error and excuses enslave. Escape is possible for us all. Flee now!  
     Questions and/or comments concerning this article are welcomed. Write us at P.O. Box 206, Dunlap, TN 37327 or call (423) 949-3286 or 949-4339. Free Bible correspondence course available upon request.
Visit With The Dunlap Church of Christ Which Meets At 15964 Rankin Avenue.
Sunday Morning – 9:30,10:30; Sunday Evening – 6:00; Wednesday Evening 6:30
Watch  “Fabric  of  the  Family”  Sunday  At  6:00  A.M. On  WFLI-TV,  Channel  53.
Watch “Good News  For  Today” Sunday  At  6:30 A.M. On WFLI-TV, Channel   53.
Watch “In Search Of The Lord’s Way” Sunday At 7:00 A.M. On WDEF, Channel 12.
Watch  “Preaching  The  Gospel”  Sunday  At  7:30  A.M.  On  WGBN, Channel  11.
The Gospel Broadcast Network Is Channel 11 On The New Bledsoe Cable System.

Back To The Bible
What’s Your Excuse? #3
     There is a prominent idea that many people believe that we want to examine in this article. It goes like this: A person believes that what the preacher says is the truth. He does what the preacher says. However, what the preacher says is not actually the truth. While the preacher will be held accountable for preaching error, those who believed they were being told the truth will not be held accountable. This excuse certainly would get most people off the hook would it not and false teachers would be the only ones held responsible. Such an idea as this is either right or wrong. It is either true or false. It can either be supported from the word of God or it cannot. Which is it?
     Think about it friends. Would we allow such supposed reasoning as this in any other area? The pest exterminator crawls under your house and takes a fifteen minute nap. Having never even inspected nor sprayed your foundation for termites he crawls out and hands you a bill which you pay. A few months later you fall through your floor which is eaten up by termites. He deceived you but you still suffered the consequences, right? Suppose the pharmacist makes an honest mistake and gives you the wrong prescription. You take it and die. Did your being deceived, even innocently, allow you to escape the consequences? Why is it that in the most important area possible, our souls and eternal consequences, the truth simply does not seem to matter? If you go to two different doctors and they tell you conflicting things about your health you correctly conclude that both cannot be right, but if two preachers tell you conflicting things, they can be? Come on folks! Use the mind with which God has blessed you! Common sense shows this excuse to be foolish.
     Bible sense also shows the folly of those who attempt to avoid their own responsibility to God and to their own souls. God’s word is truth (John 17:17). Souls are purified in obeying the truth (I Peter 1:22). God “will render to every man according to his deeds:” (Romans 2:6). “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;” (II Corinthians 5:10,11). “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” (II Timothy 2:15). You are responsible to do as did the Bereans as described in Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Don’t believe anything until it is proven to be true from the word of God. An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie. By the way, what is your excuse?
     Questions and/or comments concerning this article are welcomed. Write us at P.O. Box 206, Dunlap, TN 37327 or call (423) 949-3286 or 949-4339. Free Bible correspondence course available upon request.
Visit With The Dunlap Church of Christ Which Meets At 15964 Rankin Avenue.
Sunday Morning – 9:30,10:30; Sunday Evening – 6:00; Wednesday Evening 6:30
Watch  “Fabric  of  the  Family”  Sunday  At  6:00  A.M. On  WFLI-TV,  Channel  53.
Watch “Good News  For  Today” Sunday  At  6:30 A.M. On WFLI-TV, Channel   53.
Watch “In Search Of The Lord’s Way” Sunday At 7:00 A.M. On WDEF, Channel 12.
Watch  “Preaching  The  Gospel”  Sunday  At  7:30  A.M.  On  WGBN, Channel  11.
The Gospel Broadcast Network Is Channel 11 On The New Bledsoe Cable System.

Back To The Bible
What’s Your Excuse? #4
     Many people honestly believe that they are excused from responsibility to God because, after all is said and done, it is impossible for anyone to actually understand the Bible anyhow. As supposed evidence they point to the divided religious world of diverse and conflicting creeds and doctrines and yet still called Christianity, mistakenly so. They assume that the way things are is the way it is has to be, and maybe is the way it should be. Friends, this is either right or wrong. It is what the Scriptures teach or it is not. Which is it? Remember, if the whole world believes a lie it remains a lie does it not?
     The clarity with which this matter itself in addressed in Scripture should be enough to convince any honest person. Jesus said that in order for the truth to make one free it must be known (John 8:32). You must have help to misunderstand the Lord. This is straightforward, clear, undeniable language. What is difficult to understand about it? Did the Lord tell the truth? Since Jesus also informed us that God’s word is truth (John 17:17), we can rightly figure that in order to be free from sin and its consequences one must know God’s word. We are not required to do something outside of our ability to do, therefore if we do not know what God’s word teaches it is not God’s fault nor the truth He has provided.
     Paul wrote to the Ephesians that when they read what he wrote they could understand what he understood (Ephesians 3:3-5). Thus any accountable person today can do so as well. Paul even wrote in Ephesians 5:17 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” To attempt to excuse your inability to understand the Bible on most people’s refusal to do what the Bible actually teaches one must do may soothe your conscience now, but it will be regretted eternally. “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” (II Thessalonians 1:7-9).
      Questions and/or comments are welcomed. Material is available free of charge on this subject and many others. Write us at P. O. Box 206, Dunlap, TN 37327 or call (423) 949-3286 or (423) 949-4339 as we would be thankful to send it to you. Free Bible correspondence course sent upon request also.
Visit With The Dunlap Church of Christ Which Meets At 302 Rankin Avenue.
Sunday Morning – 9:30,10:30; Sunday Evening – 6:00; Wednesday Evening  6:30
Watch “In Search Of The Lord’s Way” Sunday At 6:30 A.M. On WTVC, Channel 9.
Watch  “Preaching  The  Gospel”  Sunday  At  7:00  A.M.  On  WDEF,  Channel  12.
Listen  To  “Back  To  The  Bible”  Sunday  At   8:00  A.M.  On  WSDQ,  AM  1190.