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In our life we will always face tough times. Moments when our faith is tested. At these times we can either give excuses and compromise on our commitment to God or we could get determined to persevere.
We need to get excited because God will bless us in these times if we are faithful. These situations give God an oppurtunity to change our character and make us more like his son Jesus Christ.
1. Excuses
Excuses come because of lack of devotion.
Luke 21:1-4
1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.
2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.
3 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others.
4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
The widow had complete devotion for God so she had no excuses. She did'nt see her poverty. As an excuse, nor did she see how many were being an example to her. She gave with all her heart. Jesus approved her offering, because it lacked any excuse.
Genesis 3:11-12
11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
Instead of being humble and repenting of his disobedience, Adam gave an excuse for his sin. God wasn't happy and banished man from Eden.
Death entered humanity because of an excuse.
God hates excuses. He puts us in different situations so that we can see his power. He expects obedience not just by words but by deeds.
2. Compromise
Compromise comes when we put our needs ahead of our love for God.
Matthew 26:14-16
14 Then one of the Twelve--the one called Judas Iscariot--went to the chief priests
15 and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for him thirty silver coins.
16 From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Judas saw his need for wealth to be more than his need for God. So he compromised on his loyality for 30 silver coins.
We need to question ourselves. What is my cost for compromise?
Matthew 26:69-74
69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
72 He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."
74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
Peter compromised in his commitment to Jesus because he feared death more than God. He failed to see how God was in control and his compromise caused him great sorrow.
Luke 23:13-25
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people,
14 and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.
15 Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death.
16 Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."
17
18 With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!"
19 (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)
20 Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again.
21 But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"
22 For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."
23 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed.
24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand.
25 He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.
Pilate knew Jesus wasn't guilty of any crime. Yet he feared that he would lose his position if he didn't do what the people said. So he compromised on the truth and ordered an innocent man to be crucified.
Let us examine our hearts to see what is our level of commitment to God. When we face trials, rather than making excuses or compromising. We can seek advice. We need to see that God has a plan to bless us in every situation.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Hence as God hates compromises & excuses we need to persevere fully as we are assured that our labour is not in vain.
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