A young man and I were traveling down a lonely, narrow road. While we traveled, we talked about his need to receive Jesus. But he gave one excuse after another.

Excuses are very common! Everyone who is not a Christian has his own excuse why he is not.

What Does It Mean to Be a Christian?

To be a Christian means more than to be baptized or to receive the sacraments or to attend church or to do good things for others. To be a Christian means to follow Jesus.

Since we are all born sinners, we cannot follow Jesus unless we first experience a change of life. This change is a work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts when we repent of our sin and put our faith in Jesus. The Bible calls it to “be born again” and to be “born of the Spirit.” When we are born again, we want to follow Jesus’ teachings. This means that Jesus has command of our life and we are obedient to Him. We know that a person is led of Jesus if he is humble, holy, and shows the love of God to others.

It is strange that many people do not want to be Christians. They do not want to surrender their lives to Jesus. So they come up with countless excuses.

What Is Your Excuse?

Are you a Christian? Have you been born again? Are you following Jesus daily? If not, what is your excuse? Is your excuse worth anything?

Think about the judgment of Almighty God. Will your excuse stand on the Judgment Day?

The Bible says, “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” (2 Corinthians 5:10). In this verse “appear” means to “present ourselves.” Are you ready for your whole life—and your excuses—to appear before God? The day will come when this will happen. On that day, will you still be making excuses? Will they be acceptable to God?

Let us consider the following excuses. We will see that in the judgment day they will be worthless.

“I have my religion”

Woe unto those who excuse themselves by saying, “I already have my religion.” My friend, I am not asking what religion you have. I am asking you if you are a Christian according to the Bible. Religion will not save you.

You must know Jesus personally to be saved. You must be born of the Spirit. The Bible says: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

On the Judgment Day will God ask you what religion you have? Is that what the Bible says?

“I can’t”

Many folks use this excuse. They say,

“I can’t be a Christian,” but almost everyone says that without thinking. Perhaps many who say “I can’t” really are saying, “I don’t want to.”

Who will deserve God’s punishment more than he who does not want to be a Christian? If deep in your heart you do not want to be a Christian, you have need to fear. Your judgment will be terrible.

If you truly think you cannot, think about this: If it is impossible for you to be a Christian, would Jesus have died that you might be one?

Perhaps you don’t know how to become a Christian. Have you sought help from those who are truly Christians? How do you know you can’t be a Christian if you have never tried whole heartedly?

The Apostle Peter wrote, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us” (2 Peter 1:3). God will give us a renewed heart and enable us to live a godly life if we respond to His call.

Do you think the excuse “I can’t” will be worth anything when God judges your life? If you can’t be a Christian, who can?

“I keep my parents’ religion”

How many people have said this! And then they add, “I was born in it and will die in it!”

Be careful! Your parents’ religion will not save you. If you enter heaven, you will enter because you have been redeemed by Jesus. If you have not experienced this, how can you be saved?

The Bible says, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). You are responsible for your own eternal destiny— not your parents, nor anyone else. “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

“Maybe later”

Some people say, “Not now—maybe later I’ll become a Christian.”

What do these people think? Do they want to enjoy the pleasures of this world a little longer? What will the judgment of God be for someone who chose the world’s pleasure rather than salvation?

We do not know what tomorrow holds. Today you dressed yourself. Tomorrow someone else may dress you for your coffin. Then it will be too late.

God tells us this excuse is worthless! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

“What will they say?”

Many people are not Christians because they are afraid of what their friends, family, or neighbors will say.

It is true that if you become a Christian, many people will talk. Even religious hypocrites will wag their tongues. Perhaps family members will disown you.

But tell me: Will God accept this excuse? Jesus Himself warned us of this: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:34–37).

On the Judgment Day will it matter to you what everyone else says? Or will it matter what God says?

The decision is yours. Will you keep on making excuses? Or will you surrender yourself to Jesus today?

Jesus says, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

Lamp and Light Publishers, Inc. 26 Road 5577, Farmington, NM 87401

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English

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نویسنده

Mark Yoder

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Lamp and Light

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