October 4, 2007
It has been people’s tendency to justify not glorify since the Garden of Eden. What do I mean by that?
We like our little sins. Each person harbors some sin that they really don’t want to give up.
We justify it to ourselves because "everyone else is doing it" or it's really not that big of a deal. Many churches even justify sin by teaching that parts of the Bible aren't true, or God didn’t really mean that. A "loving" God would let us do whatever we want.
We like to blame others. Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed Satan.
And he [God] said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
The man said, "The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." Genesis 3:11-13 NIV
God didn’t buy into their excuse then and He doesn’t buy into ours now.
Our goal should not be to justify our sin, but rather to glorify God by changing our lifestyles to fit the patterns He would approve of.
A changed heart and obedience are worth far more than any ritual to God. Our excuses just don’t cut it with Him.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:19-20a NIV
Make a choice today. Will you continue to justify your sin with excuses or will you turn it over to Him and glorify Him?
Until next time, may you be convicted of the areas of your life that are not in harmony with God and repent. He will forgive.
God bless you!
Darrel Mason