Bible Studies

What's Your Excuse? Part 2

by Doug Laird 
09/23/26
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Many “Christians” simply do not want to pay the price that goes along with being an advancing disciple. Others, if they were to make an honest 2Cor.13: 5 self-examination, would have to concede that they are embarrassed to speak up for God or the things of God.

Jesus spoke some ominous words regarding such embarrassment in Luke 9: 26.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My Words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels (Luke 9: 26 NASB2020).”

“Ashamed” in Luke 9:26 is an English translation of the original Greek word “epaischynthe,” meaning to restrain oneself in fear of being rejected by people by taking a stand for God or the things of God.

Although weak believers clam right up when given the opportunity to stand up for God and or the things of God, they can carry on a conversation with these same people, talking about anything else, including things that should not be discussed (1Tim. 5: 13).

“…as they go around from house to house (phone to phone); not merely idle, but they also become gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention (1Tim. 5: 13 NASB2020 parenthesis mine).”

Some will try to use the lame excuse that the spiritual well-being of others is none of their business, but Jesus made it the business of ALL Church Age believers, in Matt. 28: 19, 20.

Biblical discipleship calls for self-denial of much of what the devil’s world (Luke 4: 6) has to offer, and to develop a very different set of priorities (Luke 14: 26) from those who are focused on the here and now.

Advancing disciples have learned that life is short; eternity is forever (Mark 8: 36)!

While there might be nothing wrong with legitimately obtained earthly prosperity, there is everything wrong with it when it results in one neglecting his or her spiritual well-being in the process (Mark 8: 36/Matt. 6: 19-21).

Biblical discipleship calls for the daily intake and 24/7 application (James 1: 22) of the Word of God to ALL that one thinks, says, or does, with the long-term objective of participating in the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20).

But sad to say, for many would-be disciples, “… the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter and choke the word and it (their post salvation spiritual life) becomes unfruitful (Mark 4: 19 NASB2020 parenthesis mine).”

The ”fruit” in Mark 4: 19 are the souls of OTHERS that are saved and or edified through one’s participation in the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20).

The good news is that one’s lack of participation in the call to discipleship does not result in the loss of the unearned, undeserved, irrevocable GIFT of eternal life (Rom. 8: 1/Rom. 11: 29) that as a born-again believer, one has already received (John 5: 24), and will not lose (Rom. 8: 1).

The bad news is that although one’s salvation is never in jeopardy, the lack of participation in the Great Commission (Matt. 28: 19, 20) results in the loss of the reward (1Cor. 3: 15) and privileges (Rev. 2/Rev. 3) that are reserved in Heaven for those who became advancing disciples here on Earth.

One cannot be used of God to pass along to others something that he or she has not yet taken possession of for himself.

Some will try to use the lame excuse saying, well I’ve read some of the Bible from time to time, but don’t seem to understand exactly what these extraordinary stories coming from a book that was written between 1500BC and 96 AD has to do with my day-to-day life in the here and now.

Our ultimate teacher and guide is God the Holy Spirit, but here in the Church Age, God has chosen Biblically-qualified, trained, and ordained pastor-teachers who will correctly interpret and apply the Word of God (2Tim. 2: 15) for the edification of the born-again believer who desires to embrace Biblical discipleship.

In the Church Age, the devil and his Eph. 6: 12 forces of evil uses wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7: 15) behind the pulpits, and the people they have deceived, to oppose the unadulterated Gospel Message and accurate Bible Doctrine while promoting alternative “religious” agendas.

Born-again believers do not become advancing disciples in order to be rewarded. Advancing disciples would do what they do if there were no reward, as what they do is an expression of the love that they have for the Lord (John 14: 15).

Advancing in discipleship is a “rough and rocky” road, but it is not a burden for the spiritually-mature believer. In fact, it becomes the driving force behind him, giving purpose and meaning to each and every day of his post salvation spiritual life, until the Lord calls him or her home.

EVERY born-again believer is called and invited to participate in post salvation, Biblical discipleship.

No excuses!

End of Part Two

End of Series