Excuses

      On that great and terrible day of God's judgment,, many will be asked, Why? Forthwith, God will here a multitude of excuses. They are attempts to lesson the blame or to hide the guilt. Everyone is guilty but only a few will be excused. Although many excuses, there can only be one reason - or root cause, and that is because the person is guilty of sinning.
      George Constanza, after pleasuring with the cleaning lady at work and was found out, remarked, "Was that wrong. If I had only known, I would not have done that!" (paraphrased). Perhaps some believe there is no God and thus no authority to whom to answer. We are to look around at the magnificence surrounding us, and marvel. People, with that enlightenment, "Are without excuse" (Rom 1:20). No one needs to be told they are sinners; inside they know they are by the feeling of guilt.
     After all the excuses, and providing no good reason, God will say, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Mat 7:23). Iniquity is sinful behavior. It is an attitude in defiance of God's authority. One sin is not an attitude; a life of sin is a defiant attitude. Of course, when sin is not repented, the attitude is that one is too special to need to repent.
     The first step in drug rehabilitation is admitting that the addiction is wrong and is controlling. The first step with God is that _______ (your name here) is a sinner, is addicted to sin, and it is controlling your thoughts and behaviors. Note that there is no attempt to excuse the addiction of drug use or sinning. Why ae you an addict? Because you love the feeling that drugs provide. Why are you a sinner? Because of,  "the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). Those are valid reasons! But what is the root cause? You want to do what you want without answering to any authority. In other words, sinners don't fear God, let alone love Him (Deut 10:12)!
     Love and fear? Yes, just as you would your own father if he is a good parent, and God is good! Why would anyone sneer at His authority? Because they relish their own pleasure rather than sacrifice the pleasure out of respect.
     I hear excuses why people don't go to church. People do what they want to do! No excuses; Christians who don't go to church have one good reason - they don't want to be there! Excuses are sickness and health problems, and God excuses those. On the other hand, if sickness is not the root cause, those with excuses minimize God's will. Are people required to attend church? No! However, if they are true Christians with a new attitude, their first love is for God, and the way to do that is worshiping Him with others.
     If the preacher and fellow Christians are tired of your excuses, just think how God feels? Just think how your own unrequited love has felt, and think on God's unrequited love! If anyone loves God they will be the bride to His Bridegroom, and they all will meet at the Church for the wedding!