Excuses, Excuses!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jews first and also for the Greeks. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16, 17

New Life

How do the just live? They “live by faith.” But, accordingly all humanity is found guilty (Rom. 3:19, 23) and a justification is revealed sufficient for man’s need and received through faith alone” (Rom. 3: 28). This is a new life which all justified persons may enjoy through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. There is no respect of persons, for it relates to the whole world with Him who is the “God of the Jews” and “of the Gentiles also.”

Saved

The Hebrew and Greek words for “salvation” imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing, and soundness. Salvation then, in reality, can be said to be in three tenses: 1. The Christian has been saved from guilt and the penalty of sin (Luke 7:50); 2. The Christian is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin (Rom 6:14); 3. The Christian will be saved and taken up in the air at the Lord’s return, from all the bodily infirmities that are the result of sin and God’s curse upon the sinful world. (Rom 8:18-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17)

Exercise

Well, all of this is sound doctrine, known to many, and assuring in hope. Most assuring, however, is that this ripening faith can be exercised, and increased, thereby. Admittedly, however, “Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by His faith.”(Habakkuk 2:4). It is true, furthermore, that, “by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God–not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8.9).

Not Me

Clearly this is very beautiful, and this view contains one of the highest and central Church truths of Christianity. Earlier, however, the perplexing problem existed with many, Jews and Greeks alike, of unbelief. This unbelief of the Gentile world came slowly, in stages. But, this unbelief has pervaded the world today and in its growing prevalence has affected many, who earlier had an unwavering belief.

Their rock-bound belief was battered and shaken. A belief that was traditional, doctrinal-based, and rooted, suddenly became blotted out of their lives relapsing into a life submerged in worldly matters and conflicting currents of thinking. Such an episode occurred in Pastor’s life. He abandoned his once-cherished Church and belief, and entered another profession. All the truths he once believed and accepted were now rejected, being now filled with bitter doubt and excuses. It was a tragic scenario to witness. He seemed hopelessly paralyzed. Clearly then, he apostatized from the faith and the Church, shaken with doubt, and full of excuses for his decision.

Where Is God?

He had no more faith, full of lingering doubt, and bitterness, saying that, “God needs to prove Himself to me.” Furthermore, he even doubted the existence of God! On the other hand, strangely, he said, “But, I still like Christians, and know that the Church and Christians help people, and do a lot of good in the world.”

Doubting Thomas

I told the Pastor in question, that one can doubt, if he chooses to believe, everything, and anything. For example, even that the world is not round. But, scientists and explorers have found that the world is, in fact, 8000 miles in diameter, and 25,000 miles in circumference, and recently from satellite pictures, that it is round. You cannot change this fact or description. Indeed, speaking further to him, one can even doubt one’s own existence.

When, I the author, attended the University of Loyola, a Jesuit University, we were required to take courses such as Metaphysics, Ethics, Logic, etc. In the process, we would study for weeks the many proofs of our own existence; one argument being, that by simply saying, “I am, therefore I exist.” Worldly foolishness, and debatings. I continued with the Pastor, and asked him, “are we just dreaming, and can therefore, doubt our real existence?”
Furthermore, saying to him, “we are here, talking together, or are we just living in a vacuum or jar of vapor?” I said, “pinch yourself, if you don’t believe.”

No Excuse

The book of Romans, for one, in many ways, reveals His love for man. Many today live in a “world within a world.”
God simply asks us to have faith in Himself and His goodness. Self-pity and doubt is of the devil. The apostle Paul was talking to the Jews and Greeks; to the Gentiles, explaining to them of God’s displeasure of sin. If one doubts the many references to God’s love for man, and His existence, we only need to see the evidences of His love for man, and for us.

Yes, we see it in nature, but practically we can see it daily in His promises, answers to prayer, His mercy, grace, patience, provisions, protection, healing, guidance, peace, and comfort of the Holy Spirit’s presence… and more! There is no excuse!

Simply, He cares for you. Remember this, daily. The apostle Paul, expounds on this, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shown it unto them.”(Rom 1:1) We clearly see, moreover, in the entire universe a profound revelation of the power and Deity of God.
Are we responding, in like, to it?

DNA Power

Everywhere we look we see examples of God’s power. It’s so obvious we miss it! The vast expanse of the universe points to a Creator beyond our imagination. Yet the universe in miniature, down to the intricate DNA molecules that hold the code for who we are, turns out to be equally vast and creative in scope. God has scattered clues abut Himself everywhere!

Our amazing bodies, created in “God’s image,” reveal clue after clue to God’s identity. What a wonder so many turn from the evidence to deny God’s existence!

We Lose

Yet these same people are so quick to blame this non-existent God when things get tough, bad things, adversities, or misfortunes happen in their lives. Like it or not, you and I are trace evidence of God’s creative power. If we deny the evidence, we lose! Rather, we are to say, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.” (Psalm 139:14) (Colossians 1:16). Does it take more faith to believe that the cause-and-effect principle applies to God’s relationship to the world or to believe that this stupendous pile of clear evidence called the universe, including us, tells us nothing about God?

It Is The Law

One cannot escape the consequences of his life, or make excuses. The apostle Paul was a learned man and a teacher. From the 1st to the last chapter of Romans he reiterated and taught obedience to faith and not one without the other. Paul speaks further, of God’s righteous judgment, saying, “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law.” In other words, some sin with the law, others sin without the law. But, “sin is the transgression of the law.”

Heart Care

The Jews had the Ten Commandments, Moses, the Psalms, and the books of the prophets. The Gentiles did not. What law did the Gentiles have? Well, Paul always had a desire to visit Rome and preach the Gospel, saying, “Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.” (Rom 1:13). The Gentiles were “doers and hearers.” The law was written on the Gentiles’ hearts by God. In fact it’s written on everyone’s heart; Muslins, Buddhists some 100-200 centuries ago. It’s written there clearly, to know right from wrong. If it is written in the hearts of man, then, naturally man would “do it” If man, then, were to hear the word of God, they would “do it.”

New Light?

In the Jews’ heart, too, and the Gentiles’ heart, we find the law written. Here is the evidence (and the test). The Gentiles had no excuse. The evidence was there. Ah! But, if it was not in the hearts, they might have reasons to doubt Yes. But, speaking in reference to the doubting Pastor in the beginning and his excuses, God needs not appear to him or anyone. He created the universe for our eyes to feast upon daily, and partake of its fruits. Further evidence is clearly manifested in the scriptures: “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Jeremiah 31: 33). Is this a new concept, or light? No, it was written on the hearts of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. (Heb 10:16).

All Or Nothing

We see this principle and doctrine of belief interspersed throughout the Word of God; the Law of God – the obedience and disobedience of it. “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Also, “And to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good.” (Deut 10:12.13). This is how God relates to our hearts. How? “With all your heart and all your soul.” (Deut 30:10).

This is not a New Testament idea. It was revealed in the Book of Moses. God is looking from above on all your hearts and souls, not in Heaven but here, now, on earth to hear and to do it in our words emitted from our mouths and in our hearts. Above all to Do It! It’s written so clearly in the Word of God, but He wants it placed in our hearts. We see the working of this principle in a practical manner in Gal 5:22- 25, whereby by these fruits of joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control, are written whereby the true Christian character is developed by the Holy Spirit, and not by self-effort. “Do the fruits of the spirit appear in your life?” (Signs of the Times, Feb. 28, 1895).

The Ten Commandments are there, too, to clearly guide us: the first four towards God, and the following six towards man (others). In essence they are all about love, and its manifestations in our daily thinking and living in a world that is in shambles.

Success Story

One interesting test, of many, with the Law of God in our relationships with man, poses the question, “can I become genuine in success and in the success of others?” Their failures and the failures of others?

We find an answer for Christians and for those within God’s family. “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” (Rom 12:15). Interestingly, in Greece a traditional belief for friendship is based on this verse – a test of your friendship for one another. How one reacts or responds to such circumstances is dependant on your faith, for only by the Holy Spirit at any age in life, young and old alike, can God plant the I AM in our hearts.

I Give Up

Paul stated that there is no reason, even for the Gentiles of his time to make excuses. God, in fact, speaks to the heart. What, however, was the result of the Gentile world’s unbelief? “Wherefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own bodies between them…”

(Rom 1:24-32). Please read these passages in their entirety for a prophetic revelation of today’s standards and woes of life in a crumpling world. Granted that these conditions existed and exist to-day, what did God mean by saying, “God also gave them up.” Does God ever give up?

Yes, if one rejects the Holy Spirit, and lives this kind of life. I don’t want to live this way of life, and I’m certain that you, too, do not want to. We can resist by overcoming sin. Here is the battle. But, we can resist because God lives in us and by His free grace, transforms us in our hearts.

Seeing Is Believing

But, why does God appear to be silent in our lives, and we cannot readily see Him. Ah! But Paul sees this clearly and so can we. “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;” (Rom 1:20). We, too, are without excuse.

We can see His power and divinity working in our lives – if you believe, do not doubt, or make excuses. The transforming Spirit of God is there. We all have it. Even if you are stranded on a deserted island, the “body of the Holy Spirit” is working. As you gaze upon the waters, you see the sea, the waves, the fish, the sand, the waving palm trees, the coconuts, He is there, the Holy Spirit. Moreover, to supplant this, where do we come from? Is our existence the power of creation or just a happening? This makes no sense to a finite mind. There’s ample evidence from faith to faith.

No More God

What happens when we doubt? There are many things. There is no God to thank. There is no God to glorify. There’s no God to protect us. There is no God to guide us. There is no God to heal us. When we look at the first Commandment of the Law of God, it’s clear that “we shall have no other Gods before us.” (Exodus 20:3). God created us. If we are to fly at 40,000 feet, we could see a small part of the magnificence of the planet earth, and how large the universe must be. God created it all. It’s the History of Histories. It’s important for God above to look at the entire universe, and for us to take a look at this evidence of His greatness and power. It’s evidence, whether we have a Bible or not, it’s there in all its wonder!

But, there are many still in disbelief, doubting, and making excuses, “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” (Rom 1:22) Instead of God, they worshiped idols, symbols, and made images, and worshiped “things” It is much the same today, in grim and hideous reality, conforming to the world, compromising, and practicing tolerance to sinful displays, transcending all norms of Godly conduct and beliefs, following false prophets. Meanwhile, always making excuses or denying the existence of any changes or similarities to past examples for us from the wilderness
experiences, “written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.” (1Cor 10:11; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1Pet 2:21).

Freedom Of Choice

There are no excuses, according to the apostle Paul. The Holy Spirit is speaking to our heart. There is evidence daily of the created world. Meanwhile, Satan is buffeting us from behind to worship him rather than the true Creator and Sabbath worship. How far back does the true weekly cycle go? The weekly cycle goes entirely back to the creative story in Genesis 1 and 2. If these first two books of the beginnings of the heaven and earth were eliminated (Gen 1, 2), the entire Bible would have little understanding. But, even without the Bible to one who doubts and makes excuses, there is the weekly cycle, the seven days of the week, the four seasons, the rotation of the earth, the sunrises, and sunsets. No one can deny it. But, yet, many doubt and are duped and deceived by man into believing the lies of evolution and the Big-Bang theory. Yes, you can and may still doubt, as the disenchanted Pastor, and
choose either way, but I want to believe in the Sovereign God, the Lord and Master of all creation. Don’t you?

We Have It

The apostle Paul preached that all sinners could be saved “by grace through faith.” But, “what advantage, then, hath the Jew?

Or, what profit is there of circumcision? Much, in every way, chiefly because unto them were committed the oracles of God.” (Rom 3:1, 2). So, did the Jews have an advantage over the Gentiles? Yes, they had the Bible and the oracles of God. Ah! But, we have it too! The Old and New Testament! And more! We have the Spirit of Prophecy, and Health Reform! Yes, and the faith story of Creation. Does this, however, increase your faith? Every step of our journey heavenward is a step in our spiritual maturity and faith; The principles of health written some 2000 yrs ago are valid today, too. Do we earn salvation by health reform principles? No, but they make sense today. It’s merely more evidence of God’s leading hand in our lives.

Many are sheepishly making lame excuses and others are even foolishly praying in error for excuses. The aim in life is God’s, not ours. He wants implicit faith in Him. We need not be surprised over what events are to take place soon, if we have genuine faith in Him. “The best proof of faith in Christ is distrust of self and dependence on God.” (Signs of the Times Feb. 28, 1895)

Remember this: Nothing can keep Him out of our lives unless we let Him, unless we give in to the paralysis of self-doubt and defeat and proceed to make fabricated Excuses, Excuses.
Amen

John Theodorou, USA