(“There Are No “Buts” In Heaven” is a re-post of a 4/29/20 post)
Because of my people-pleasing nature, I really have to fight the urge to make excuses when I mess up. Excuses are just another term for “but” that we use to try to explain away when we have erred. Typically it is used to put the blame elsewhere. Sometimes, I even find myself fighting the urge to make excuses or “buts” during my conversations with God. However, there are no “buts” in Heaven.
There have been times when I have been praying, asking for forgiveness, and said something like, “God, forgive me for losing my temper but…” Or, “God, I am sorry that I didn’t tell them about You but…”
Can you imagine?! I shake my head at myself when I do that so don’t feel guilty if you just did too! 😀 What would make me think that trying to excuse my sin and asking for forgiveness in the same breath was acceptable?!
What would make me think that trying to excuse my sin was acceptable at all?! I know that there are no “buts” in heaven.
Thankfully, I am not alone in my struggle. We see examples of people making excuses throughout scripture. Sometimes, they are making excuses for their sin. Other times, God has asked them to do something they don’t want to do and they say “but…”
It started with Adam in the garden. “Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” Genesis 3:11-12.
Adam ate of the fruit even though he knew that it was wrong. When confronted by God, he instantly responds with “The woman you gave me.” Don’t miss that. He doesn’t just blame the woman by saying, “The woman gave it to me.” Adam blames GOD! He says, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me the fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” I don’t feel so silly now! Lol.
And the excuses don’t stop there. As we move to verse 13 we see God ask Eve what she has done (of course, He already knows but is giving her an opportunity to repent). “Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.” And, she too gives an excuse. No repentance. Essentially, she just said, “But the serpent did it. He tricked me and I ate it.”
They are both saying, “Yes I did it, but it isn’t my fault.” This is what we all do when we pray for forgiveness and include a “but”. The minute a “but” enters our prayer of repentance, there is no repentance.
Adam and Eve were not alone, either. Others throughout scripture made excuses and “but”s before God as well. Some, like Moses, made excuses so that they wouldn’t have to do what God asked (Exodus 4:1).
And some make excuses for not accepting Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. In the parable of the Great Banquet, Jesus paints a picture of a King who invites people to a great banquet to celebrate His Son’s wedding. The people invited are of substance and means — people a King would socialize with. They all made excuses and even refused to come. The King then invites absolutely everyone else in the town. And He finished the parable by saying “For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet” Luke 14:24. This parable is a representation of those (like the Pharisees) who knew all about God and the Messiah, yet rejected Him; those who received His invitation but made/make excuses. Like we do about spending time with God every day…”But” I’m too busy, “But”, I’m too tired, etc.
When we stand before God, there will be no excuses. There are no “buts” in Heaven.
He will not hear our excuses for sin. The minute we say “but”, we are no longer in repentance. We are responsible for our own sin and lack of self-control. “An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness. Romans 5:22-23.
Nor will God hear excuses for rejecting Him. “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20.
There are no “buts” in Heaven.
Our Heavenly Father sent His only Son to die in our place. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. He will also reveal Himself and the gospel to everyone so that none would have an excuse. “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. Again, there are no “buts” in Heaven.
After all that God has done — and continues to do — He deserves repentance without excuses or “buts”. He deserves to have us do what He asks and go where He sends without excuses or “buts”. God desires that none would perish without knowing Him. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” 2 Peter 3:9. For those that do, there will be no excuses because there are no “buts” in Heaven.
Father God, forgive us for the excuses and “buts” that we utter to You. And, Holy Spirit, direct our prayers and our hearts. Let them be in true repentance for our sin. “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26.
Lord, help us to have hearts that desire going where you send us and doing what you ask without “but”s or excuses. Father, we praise you that when we do falter and repent, you show us grace and forgiveness. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. We thank you that your mercies are perpetually new Lord. “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” Lamentation 3:23-24.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and you have been avoiding seeking Him, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. God longs to have a personal relationship with you. He wants to forgive you and bless you. Please don’t wait, because there are no “buts” in Heaven.
Please pray this prayer. Once you have, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you.
