Don't Offer Empty Excuses

By: Jenifer Metzger

A couple of years ago I was pulled over for doing 30 mph in a 20 mph zone. The officer came to my window and asked the question, "Do you know why I pulled you over?" I replied, "I was speeding." He then said to me, "Give me one reason I shouldn't give you a ticket." I could have given him multiple excuses for my speeding and reasons I don't need a ticket. Instead, I simply said, "You should give me a ticket, I was breaking the law." His eyes got big, then softened. He simply said, "Ma'am, slow down," then he left. No ticket. No warning. Grace.

I've been thinking of that day and grace extended lately. You see, normally someone, I've done it too, gets pulled over by an officer and we immediately go into defensive mode. "I wasn't speeding!" "Let me see your radar!" "I'm going to fight this ticket!" "Officer, I am running so late!" "But it's an emergency, I have to get there!" The excuses just fly. Even when we are clearly wrong and know it. 

We often do this song and dance with our sin too.

"I couldn't tithe, I needed to pay this bill." "I needed that drink, I was so stressed out." "She gossiped about me first, so I am going to gossip about her." "My husband is being a jerk so it's okay to disrespect him." "The clerk gave me too much change back but it was only a couple of dollars, no but deal." "I have to yell, I am so mad at these kids." Excuses, excuses.

God already knows. He sees our actions. He hears our words. He knows our thoughts. There is absolutely nothing we can conceal from Him. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason to hand God empty excuses. Instead, when we acknowledge our sin to God, just like the officer when I was pulled over, He extends beautiful grace.

Then I acknowledged my sin to You

and did not conceal my iniquity. I said,

“I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Psalm 32:5 CSB

When we are struggling, we need to turn it over to God. "God, I can't afford this bill right now, but I don't want to skip my tithe so I will pay You first. Please provide for my needs and help me to trust You." "God, she gossiped about me and it is untruth and hurts. Help the truth to come to light and help me to extend grace and kindness even though I was wronged."

And when we sin, we need to seek repentance. "God, I disrespected my husband. Please forgive me and help me to be a kind and respectful wife to him at all times." "God, the clerk gave me too much money. Forgive me for taking it and be with me as I return it now."

When we seek God through the struggle and for repentance, He is faithful to forgive us from our sin and cleanse us from unrighteousness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful

and righteous to forgive us our sins and

to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 CSB

Excuses don't work with the police officer handing you a speeding ticket, and they don't work with God. Instead, we need to admit our sins and struggles and turn them over to God in repentance. Thankfully, we can trust that God will forgive us every time.

Discussion:
1. Think of a time you have been offered grace. Maybe my a police officer, boss, spouse, or friend. 
2. Now think of a time you have been offered grace by God. We are undeserving of grace, but God's grace is so sweet. Thank God for His grace and repent of any unconfessed sin you have.