Overcoming excuses

What differentiates the successful from the unsuccessful is the ability to overcome excuses. Notice that the man in Luke 14 was not moved by any excuses and reasons given. He made a way out of every circumstance that was produced by the unwilling guests.
If you really want to do something you make a way, if you do not want to do something you make an excuse. An anagkazo person is not moved by unfavourable circumstances. Let us learn to make a way where there's no way. Find a way to overcome every excuse people place before you.
Anyone operating with the spirit of anagkazo (compelling drive) is able to achieve a lot for God.

One of the most important facets of love is unselfishness, which is characterized in Romans 12:16 as the willingness to adapt and adjust to the needs and desires of others. 

People who have grasped the meaning of this Scripture and applied it in their lives have learned what it means to be reduced to love. They are not selfish. They have learned to be adaptable and to adjust to others. 

On the other hand, people who think more highly of themselves than they should find it difficult to adjust to others. Their inflated opinion of themselves causes them to see others as "little" and "unimportant." They selfishly expect others to adjust to them, but they are often unable to accommodate others without becoming angry or upset. 

Which type of person are you? I takes a certain kind of humility to be able to adapt to others. I pray the Lord may give me grace to live selflessly. I want to have have that trademark of a true Christian.   

The trademark of a true Christian is the ability to adapt to others. Will you unselfishly adapt to someone else today or will selfishly expect others to continue to adapt to you? Mercy!!!!!!

I believe it is important to be selfless however I do believe that there is a difference in reason and excuses. It may be worth doing research into why the person has made an excuse. e.g

1. Is it their flesh?
2. Is there a valid reason that they have not made every attempt to be obedient?
3. Are they in agreement with the mandate given and if not why?
4. Is their heart hard?
5. Are they rebellious?
6. Do they have any issues with authority (obeying)

Mikaal

There is the odd one excuse that is given genuinely. But it is the case that when you see an excuse you can usually attach it to a serial excuse-giver. The character of serial excuse givers is not a mystery but very obvious and readable.

However the person in question is unlikely to agree that it is his flesh, an invalid reason, disagreement with mandate, hardness of heart, rebellion or disobedience. Most likely if you should delve into the matter you will get more excuses, anger and offence. You are likely to be told you do not understand or you are unreasonable. This is why spending God's time in pursuit of unwilling people is not profitable.

Look around you and see. The person who did not give an excuse today, most likely did not give an excuse yesterday. It will be a surprise if he/she gives an excuse tomorrow. On the other hand, the person giving an excuse today, most likely gave an excuse yesterday. It will be a surprise if he/she does not give an excuse tomorrow. And believe me, whatever debilitating circumstances you think you find yourself in, it is common in the church, and there is someone who though in the same situation, has not given an excuse.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says:
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Considering the very little time we always have at our disposal both as a church and as individuals to fulfil our mandates in God, the search must necessarily focus on willing people and not unwilling people. You discover rather quickly, and especially if you are in leadership that Robert Frost quotation about willingness is very true:

'The world is full of willing people, some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.

Excuses are personal decisions and not simply reactions to our circumstance. They flow from us rather than flow into us from the external:

Psalm 110:3
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth."

The womb of the morning means right from the dawn of day, you are filled with willingness. Your natural character and desire is to do rather than not to do. And so God makes a way out of the restraining circumstances and temptations, because you were first willing and desirous to be or to do.

A willing attitude is a desire, it is a character, it is a mindset. It is not a circumstantial effect.

Lets look at these 'good' excuses in Luke 14 once more and lets see Jesus' research into these matters:

EXCUSES:
18“But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

19“Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20“Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

JESUS' RESPONSE: (and there is no better place to look for an example than from here)
26“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

What Jesus is saying is:

1/ The facts of your life and your personal circumstances are not and should not be the obstacles to your obedience or following me or your willingness.

Rather:

2/ The facts of your life and your personal circumstances are the cost and price you pay for your willingness to obey and to follow.

BRETHREN, WILLINGNESS IS A SIGN OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY. EXCUSES ARE THE CRY OF SPIRITUAL BABIES AND TODDLERS.