Excuses, Excuses

All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. (Pro 16:2)

Each of us has an enormous capacity to rationalize our own actions. We tend not, as Paul urged us, to “look at ourselves with sober judgment.” (Rom 12:3) Instead, I tell myself “it’s only right,” “it’s only fair,” “I can’t help it,” “he deserved it” and so on. But God sees our true motives, and all too often they are selfish. If we are ever to become Christ-like, we must begin to see ourselves as he sees us. Paul declared himself the “worst of all sinners.” (1 Tim 1:15). Was he really the worst? Not likely. But he had grown enough in his knowledge of God to appreciate the vast gap between who he was and who he wanted to be – between who he thought he was and who he really was. Spiritual growth is always preceded by humility. If we do not humble ourselves, God will humble us. (Pro 16:18) It’s that important.