by Carole Brown
- He didn’t mean to.
- He’s only a dog.
- He won’t do it again.
- It couldn’t be him; he’s too nice.
Our grandson’s adopted dog from the pound IS a great dog. Friendly, playful, patient when Jonathan gets a little too rough, he seems the perfect dog for a child. But he has one flaw. Anytime he gets lose, he takes off. He knows you’re calling him, can offer treats, and knows his best friend (as Jonathan tells him) is calling, but looks at you and moves on to explore some more. It’s only when he’s tired of his “exploits” that he returns home.
The problem with his last escapade–which wasn’t only in exploring the local area–he killed a neighbor’s chicken.
Now I could say “He didn’t mean to,” or “He’s just a dog.” I could even deceive myself into believing “He won’t do it again.” And lying to myself in thinking he’ll never do such a thing again won’t work, because I’m pretty sure he will–if he gets the chance.
Are we any better than the disobedient, wanting-to-be-free pet dog that has a mind of its own?
How often do we push the boundaries in our personal lives? Especially knowing that God’s Word instructs us to “flee” from evil, to avoid the appearance of it. How often are we tempted to do what everyone else is doing when we know God doesn’t want us to do it?
- Is gossiping okay when the other person is in the wrong?
- Is it okay to cheat a little, specially when it’s an important test we need to pass for that advance we’ve been seeking?
- Is it okay to “give that rude person who crowded the checkout lane, a piece of our mind? After all, they need to learn, that’s NOT the right way to act.
- Is it okay to lie to when put on the spot?
Or should we “hoe the line,” be the example, set the stage–for goodness and right and God’s way?
Given, none of us are above mistakes. Given that the Bible encourages us to strive for the right, the just, the good, to be obedient and choose holiness, then shouldn’t we avoid the excuses that are conveniently there for us?
- I didn’t mean to
- I’m just human
- I won’t do it again
- I really didn’t want to; but it was necessary
Don’t get caught in the easy way. Be strong for the right, for God and for yourself. You’ll be glad you did.
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