by David Brenneman
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.
"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39.
"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." Romans 1:20-21.
The depths of what the Bible says with regards to being without excuse goes to the full depths of every single person's experiences.
There's nothing anyone will have to stand on for a defense as to why they said no to the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. None.
Jesus will prove that His time on Earth covered it all. All forms of temptation. Nothing that anyone will point to in saying that He could never understand. Foolish as that sounds even that statement will utter forth from the mouths of millions of people. Telling the all-knowing God of all Creation that He can't condemn them for lack of true understanding.
My Dear Reader really read into "It is Finished!" Everything is completed. All is accomplished. Total fulfillment of duty to the highest level of perfection in obedience to God's Word from the Father.
The Pharisees and Sadducees thought they had everything covered. All their privileged excuses to continue in their customs which were leading the people astray. Much to probably your surprise these legalistic people exist today within the Church. Their excuses abound for why they tell people you must read this version of the Bible. You must dress this way. You must adhere to these by-laws that aren't found in the Bible.
People started with excuses in the very first sin. Then progressed to everyone doing whatever was right in their own eyes. Then Satan's schemes tried organizing mankind in his own image. Progressing through time to infiltrate the Church to twist what he could there too.
Excuses still abound today. In the headlines today people obviously at fault defending their actions by blame casting to society or anything or anyone else.
The wolves in sheep’s clothing are preaching from the pulpit and the sheep are just taking it all in because it feels like it is right.
All the while it escapes their notice that in the courts of God concerning judgment there's no defense table to stand behind. There's no jury of our peers. We all have an all-knowing, ever present, sinless Creator God who is the Judge for all humanity. He isn't presiding over a court that is in search of the truth. He is truth.
He has no need to listen to excuses when He's been involved in the lives of each and every single human being who's ever lived. His Spirit urging people to come to Christ and for those who have, to grow in Christ.
There are no excuses possible that are acceptable before whom we all have to do.
The modern day Pharisees with their legalistic teachings will be held accountable doubly before God.
The final nail in the coffin of excuses is this: "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15.
There's no excuse for introducing things within the Church that are not found in the Word of God itself. There's no passage of Scripture that states what version of the Bible is the "true" version. One of the jobs of the Spirit is to protect the integrity of the Word of God. Whichever version speaks to the heart and opens it to the salvation in Jesus Christ...is completely acceptable to God!
In everyday life from the least to the greatest mankind has had people trying to manipulate people in their own image of what's right and wrong...to the end that more excuses are created.
There are no exceptions or excuses to present before Jesus in anything from the basest of people outside the Church to the most important of people within the Church.
People will be separated by Jesus with a word at the Final Judgment of God for mankind.
Those within the body of Christ at the Behma Seat of Christ...Our works...deeds done in the body for Jesus...will pass through His fire without a word.
Those whom rejected Jesus Christ for salvation...will cry out with excuses. Their lives will show for some to be great lives lived for the betterment of humanity...then the book of life will be opened and their name isn't found in it.
Excuses excuses excuses. Enough with the excuses while there's still time to be right before whom we have to do. We are told to flee youthful lusts. We are told and taught by the Spirit how to live life in Christ. We are told to flee those wolves in sheep’s clothing. Legalism does nothing to grow people in Christ anymore than the teachings of the Pharisees.
"‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’ ” Matthew 15:8-9.
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23.
"My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body." Proverbs 4:20-22.
Lastly...
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9.
"But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!" Galatians 1:8-9.
Oh my Dear Reader...take great care in your ways to walk in them only as the Spirit directs each of you. Destroy speculations, and everything in opposition to the word of God. Remember always that Jesus sees all things including every thought and intention of the heart...your heart.
Put even your excuses at the feet of Jesus and leave them there for Him to deal with.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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