The "I's" Have It

As we look at the actions or inaction’s of life, and

especially in the Church, we can see some REASONS for

why things happen or don’t happen.....and we also can see

some EXCUSES for why things happen or don’t happen.

A. When I first thought of this subject, I was narrowly

applying it to just one aspect of life...but as I thought

about it, I realized that this is true in respect to

ALL aspects of life.

1. It is true in the physical sense and it equally

applies to spiritual things, as well.

The amazing thing about my observations is this one fact....

understanding that EVERYTHING cannot be reduced to

this one fact....but I did notice that all of the explanations

and all of the excuses incorporate words that begin with the

letter, “I”.

A. I am not trying to be “cutesie” with this....it really

took form this way.

1. Extrapolating even further....could it be that

the problem can all be boiled down to one flaw?

a. We will have more on this thought in our

conclusion.

I. People do or don’t do what should be done...what needs

to be done...what MUST be done...because they are

INDIFFERENT.

A. They just don’t seem to care.

1. Things that are really pressing...very important...

vital to their well-being.........just don’t SEEM

TO BE IMPORTANT.......IT JUST DOESN’T

MATTER.

a. The reality of the matter is that the situation

.....the importance or possible danger.....is

not being realized..........false perceptions have

lulled this person into a false sense of security,

peace, or fulfillment.

1.) If they could actually SEE OR

PERCEIVE the importance and/or the

danger, ..........they would certainly take

a different stance.

Note :Num. 22:23-34 - 23Now the donkey saw the

Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn

sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the

way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey

to turn her back onto the road. 24Then the Angel of the

Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a

wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25And when the

donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she pushed herself

against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the

wall; so he struck her again. 26Then the Angel of the Lord

went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was

no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27And

when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down

under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he

struck the donkey with his staff.

28Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and

she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you

have struck me these three times?” 29And Balaam said to

the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there

were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” 30So

the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on

which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this

day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said,

“No.”

31Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the

Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn

sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on

his face. 32And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why

have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I

have come out to stand against you, because your way is

perverse before Me. 33“The donkey saw Me and turned

aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside

from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and

let her live.” 34And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord,

“I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way

against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn

back.”

II. Another reason for why people do or don’t do, lies in

the fact that they are INCOGITANT...OR

INCONSIDERATE.

A. While these two words are very closely related, they

are not especially the same.

1. Incogitant means thoughtless.

a. A person can just not think through what they

are doing or not doing.

1.) They may not even realize how their

actions (or lack of action) will affect those

around them.

a.) The end result may be the same as that

produced by an inconsiderate person,

but it will probably be unintentional....

accidental.

2. The inconsiderate person is different.

a. This person DOES KNOW HOW THINGS

WILL AFFECT OTHERS.....he just doesn’t

care!

1.) This person does not.....or will not....

consider the impact of his actions on

others.

a.) This person has forgotten the

the Words of Christ found in