IRRATIONAL CALCULATIONS

I Was Just Thinking About - - - 

We have come through a period of history at the outset of the twenty-first century that crystallizes for us the direction we are now heading at an increasing rate of acceleration. We can generalize and indicate that it has become the cultural norm of our day. However, that would be a misrepresentation of the propensity of the human heart, emotions and irrational calculations that are imbedded within every human being. Left unchecked and undisciplined, it will rapidly contribute to societal disarray and increasing decadence. We have fallen prey to allow for irresponsibility while assuming we are privilege and entitled. We have seen countless numbers of public figures who find giving excuse for actions taken and resorting to blaming others for the prevailing conditions and trends.

The more the culture ignore the Eternal God and His Infallible Word, the more the use of excuse and the action of blame will increase. On one occasion, the Lord Jesus Christ shared a sweeping truth in The Parable of The Great Supper - Luke 14:12-24. In verses 17-18, there is a sad summary where the Master of the house has extended his invitation and the ensuing response: “Come, for all things are now ready. But they all with one accord began to make excuses.” The MSG renders the text: “They all began to beg off, one after another making excuse.” When an excuse is given, it is the attempt to be released from an obligation or duty. The Oxford Dictionary indicates that it is: “A reason put forward to conceal the real reason for an action; a pretext.”

We find that the readiness to offer excuses and blame began shortly after Creation. When Adam and Eve allowed themselves to succumb to the temptation of the serpent in the Garden of Eden, it would alter their personal privilege and that of all following generations. Adam and Eve had become accustomed to the regular evening visits by God in the cool of the evening. One can only imagine how unique that fellowship would’ve been. The change occurred after they had disobeyed God’s one command to them. They had always anticipated God coming to meet with them, but now Genesis 3:8-13 describes their behavior: “Adam and Eve heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the Garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees in the Garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him: Where are you?” The obvious should be pointed out that God knew what Adam and Eve had done and where they were. The Biblical principle that should always be remembered by us is given in Hebrews 4:13, “And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.”

But Adam, like us, tried to explain why he was hiding. The Genesis 3 text continues: “Adam said: I heard the sound of You in the garden and (1) I was afraid, (2) because I was naked, and (3) so I hid myself.” The obvious question he and we have to answer is: “Who told you that you were naked?” Another question follows: Did you disobey Me? “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Now the blame game begins. “The man said (blamed): The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree, and I ate.” The text continues: “Then the Lord God said to the woman: What is this that you have done?” She has someone to blame: “The woman said, the serpent deceived me, and I ate.” The trend is so easily repeated in every context of life: (Luke 14:18) “They all with one accord began to make excuses.” The personal application pertains to how you and I respond to the Lord God. Are we any different that Adam or Eve? Do we believe our excuses will be received favorably by our God? Steve Green wrote a lyric that can serve as a prayer: “Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe and the lives we live inspire them to obey. Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.” Consider these things with me.