"The No Excuse Zone"

"I don't have my homework because the dog ate it."

"I'm late because I grabbed the Ben-Gay instead of the toothpaste."

"I wasn't sleeping, I was just just checking the inside of my eyelids for holes."

"I can't bear up and do the right thing because_________."

Excuses are like noses. Everyone has one.

We've trained for a lifetime to become adept at using them.

Many of us have left that craft behind in light of God's instructions.

Other people who are inclined to use them have become master level deceivers.

Adam used it. Eve used it. The devil uses it.

And to us, as He did to Adam and Eve, God essentially says:

We are without excuse.

God doesn't like it when we make excuses to get out of something, or to duck a responsibility. Or to twist the truth. Or to flat out lie.

Romans 1:18-20 (Amplified Bible)

(18) For God's [holy] wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative.

(19) For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them.

(20) For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification].

This is the "No Excuse Zone".

God's anger is kindled against those who know full well what to do and yet refuse to follow through.

The excuse makers.

People without any defense or justification for their unrighteous actions.

Particularly those who bring suffering and pain down upon those who are innocent and unsuspecting by their callous and selfish actions.

Ever notice how the most caring and trusting people are the most victimized by the philandering excuse maker?

No excuse means just that. NO excuse. None. Zilch. Zip. Nada.

How does bringing this to light serve our purpose today?

Well, it just might save your soul if you happen to be a chronic excuse making liar (By the way: excuses and lies often are intertwined).

It may serve as a warning for:

a). Our own selves should we be tempted to duck and run on what's right.

b). Serve to alert us to people of that persuasion using their "skills" against us or others we love.

c). Help us to discern and look out for "wolves in sheep's clothing."

I am glad that God has more patience than I do, although I have become pretty patient on this issue.

There are limits however, and that's when I have to be smarter than my first instincts and turn it over to God.

Do that today will you? Turn it over to God.

If you happen to be an excuse maker, turn it over to God and pledge to change.

If you know someone who is being taken advantage of by an excuse maker, turn it over to God and pray His direct intervention.

Remember. In issues of doing the right thing or the wrong thing, and when the wrong thing is clearly and actively being performed, and PARTICULARLY when it effects a brother or sister in the Lord, God says there is absolutely and positively no justification for it whatsoever, and that we have the responsibility to stand upon the clear spiritual and moral ground of interceding for the right thing to be accomplished.

God will take are of it. Just be willing to leave it with Him and let Him do His work in His time and His fashion.

This is the No Excuse Zone. Where excuses get swallowed up into the overwhelming presence of God.

Step outside of that Zone and you enter into the place where truth is hindered.

Out there you are a game bird. You are prey.

God's ways are clearly defined and able to be seen. It's why He says we are without excuse.

Be blessed today. Run it all past Jesus first!

Keepin' it Real,

Pastor Kevin <><