Then there are those who say, “I was just too tired to come to worship.” Do you suppose the Lord was tired as He was making His way to Golgotha? Was He tired when He fell beneath the weight of His own cross? We generally do what we want to do even if we are tired. It really is a matter of what is important to us.
Some offer the excuse, “I had company.” Could you not ask them to come to services with you? This is one way you could show an interest in their soul. Occasionally, the response is, “I didn’t want to offend them,” or “I didn’t want to appear rude by leaving them to come to worship.” Is it not sad that this individual would rather offend the Lord than company? Is your company more important than the One who sacrificed His life on the cross for you?
Some absent themselves from the assembly to watch a sporting or entertainment event. Friend, do you not understand that the Lord is sorely disappointed when one of His own shows more interest in things pertaining to this life than in paying homage to Him?!? Are you really seeking first His kingdom (Matt. 6:33)?
Some have said, “I’ve just gotten out of the habit of coming on Sunday night and Wednesday night. What about other habits such as getting up at a certain time, eating meals at a certain time, going to bed at a certain time, going to the grocery store on certain days, etc.? Is not the “habit” of faithful worship much more important than all these other habits?
Some say, “I just didn’t feel good.” This is not a reference
to those who are truly sick and unable to get out of the house. This pertains
to those who would go to work or meet some other appointment with the very same
“ailment.” In other words, it is bad enough to keep one from church,
but not bad enough to keep one from other activities.
Friend, these are all excuses. They are not reasons, but excuses. If you have
used any of these excuses, think! How would you fare in the Judgment? Please
know this: God did not accept Adam and Eve’s excuses (Gen. 3). He did
not accept the excuses King Saul offered for not doing what he was told (I Sam.
15). There are many other examples in the Scriptures which could be cited. The
Lord has never accepted excuses and He will not accept them when you stand before
Him to give an account!! Read James 4:17 again and again. If you need to repent,
do it now!
By Jimmy Ferguson
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