EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES!

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES!

Rom 1:18-21

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

20 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:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

           Satan is a master at deception. When he plays his shell game, it is hard to focus on the things that are of real value. Convinced that we have kept our eye on the “pea,” we most often select the wrong shell. We lose the game and Satan ups the ante and urges us to play again. Life seems like one game after the other.

           One of Satan’s deceptions is to convince us that, while we acknowledge our disobedience and sin, there are extenuating circumstances that made us do what we did. Sure, we are guilty, but there are reasons why we did what we did and therefore, we reason, we should be excused. Those of a certain vintage will remember entertainer, Flip Wilson who coined the phrase: “The Devil made me do it.” We reason that, no matter how vile the thought or action, we have someone else to blame.

           Personal responsibility is on life support and may have actually died since last we checked on him. We think that our poverty is the result of the rich who have stolen all our opportunities. We want to take a portion of his wealth and level the playing field. Our ignorance is due to our environment or our family dynamics. We wait with our mouth open like little birds for someone else to fill our lives. When someone points out that we are lazy and lack motivation we squeal and point fingers. It is never our fault.

           We stop reading our Bible and claim that the Bible is too hard to understand. We stop praying and claim that we are too busy when the real reason is our broken relationship with God. We stop serving God and claim that we are too old, too sick or too busy. We stop giving offerings claiming that the economy is poor and certainly God will understand. We quit church claiming that someone hurt our feelings or that some sermon seemed to target our sins specifically. Perhaps someone forgot a birthday or failed to list my prayer request in the prayer bulletin. The excuses are endless.

           The word “extenuate” means: “to lessen the seriousness of.” Extenuating circumstances! We hope God will understand when we explain but the Bible gives no evidence to support that slim hope.  No, our hope is in acknowledging our sins and appealing to God for grace and mercy like David did.

Ps 51:3-4

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

According to thy loving-kindness, Father, blot out my sin. Oh, cleanse and make me whole. AMEN