Excuses

Excuses

John 5:1-9 (KJV)

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [2] Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. [3] In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. [4] For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. [5] And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. [6] When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? [7] The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. [8] Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. [9] And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

According to a UPI news item, the Metropolitan Insurance Company received some unusual explanations for accidents from its automobile policyholders. The following are just few:

An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car, and vanished.

The other car collided with mine without warning me of its intention.

I had been driving my car for 40 years when I fell asleep at the wheel and had the accident.

As I reached an intersection, a hedge sprang up, obscuring my vision.

I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law, and headed over the embankment.

The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran over him.

The telephone pole was approaching fast. I attempted to swerve out of its path when it struck my front end.

The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.

The indirect cause of this accident was a little guy in a small car with a big mouth.

We are masters at making excuses: It has been human nature from the very beginning of time just as solmon said in,

Eccles. 1:9 (KJV)

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

Genesis 3:12 (KJV)

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Exodus 4:10 (KJV)

And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

Jeremiah 1:6 (KJV)

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

In this passage of scripture we find five different excuses this man gave Jesus.

1. I have no man- Depending on others

2. To put me in the pool- depending on location

Psalm 139:7-8 (KJV)

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? [8] If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Romans 8:39 (KJV)

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God can use us no matter where we are

3. When the water is stirred- Depending on conditions

4. But while I am coming- depending on self-effort

Philip. 4:13 (KJV)

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

5. Another steps before me-Blaming others

Romans 14:12 (KJV)

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Adam and eve wanted to blame others