NO EXCUSES
Gary McDade
An excuse is an attempt to avert displeasure by pleading. The New Testament word paraite,omai includes the idea of refusing, avoiding, and rejecting the subject at hand. For an example of “refusing” see: Acts 25:11; 1 Timothy 4:7; 5:11; Hebrews 12:25; of “avoiding” see: 2 Timothy 2:23; of “rejecting” see: Titus 3:10. And, while it is true there are many things as shown in these examples that need refusing, avoiding, and rejecting, making an excuse in the presence of an opportunity to perform a sacred duty carries with it severe consequences. The excuse in this case is made “to avert displeasure” and lets God know what you think of Him.
Two instructive examples are: First, the invitation to the wedding feast in Luke 14:15-24. Here the point that creates displeasure is being invited to something concerning which there is no interest. In this case the invitation is from God to participate in the spiritual feast of sacrifice and service to Him made graciously available in order to be blessed eternally. Those invited offer a variety of excuses, but they have in common their displeasure upon receiving the invitation. The refusal of the invitation angers God, yet His rejection of those initially invited opens the way for those who, although of lesser standing, highly value the privilege of attending the wedding feast. An unrestricted invitation regarding class is ordered “that My house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). The problem being addressed in this passage is “they all with one consent [one accord, ASV] began to make excuse” (v. 18). The penalty incurred was “none of those men which were bidden shall taste of My supper” (v. 24). Their rejection of the invitation manifested in making an excuse cost them eternal life.
A second example is found in Romans 1:18-20, where there is no excuse for not believing in God and those who disbelieve are in line to suffer the wrath of God. Paul wrote, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” That is, their “attempt to avert displeasure by pleading” will not keep them out of hell.
The common tendency to make excuses for failing in one’s duty to God is even continued in the judgment scene related by our Lord in Matthew 7:21-23 and 25:31-46. In the first passage the excuse given for not doing the will of God is a desire for God to accept what they wanted Him to have instead of actually doing what He said they should do. In the second, the attempt is made to be excused because they wanted God to accept their failure on the basis they did not neglect Him personally. Neither excuse worked. They heard the Judge say, “I never knew you,” and “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
The unsearchable riches of Christ are reserved for all those who have learned there are “no excuses” for refusing or failing to do God’s will. All those will hear the Master say, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”