excuses
not To follow jesus
"I'm Good."
"I'm just not good enough."
"It just isn't the right time."
"I'm just not ready yet."
"I just don't know where to begin."
"People are holding me back."
"It's just too difficult"
"I've tried, and it just can't be done"
"I'm afraid of what others might think."
"I fear failure would crush me."
christ's answers
in the bible
No one is good enough. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23
For sinners " I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 3:52
God decides the time. "Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2
Readiness begins with Conviction - "of sin, of righteousness, or judgment." John 16:8
Begin with Jesus by reading the gospel accounts. "Search the scriptures; for in them you
think you have eternal life; and it is they which testify of me." John 5:39
I'm turned off by hypocrisy in the church - Except your righteousness exceed the Scribes
and Pharisees, you'll never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20
"Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." John 11:28-30
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God.
For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation
to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16
"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
2 Tim. 1:7
warnings
"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ... For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
I Peter 4:7-11,17.
"to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
Jude 1:15.