Sinful Excuses
B. Beddome, M. A. Luke 14:16-24 Then said he to him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:… 1. Some men will say they have no need to come to Christ. This arises from insensibility, and ignorance of their lost condition. 2. Others imagine they are already come to Christ; and the act being performed, they have no need to repeat it. Their hope is too firmly fixed to be shaken, and their confidence too deeply rooted to be overthrown. Is there not daily need of Christ? Have there been no departures? and do they not call for a return? Is faith to be exercised but once? Why, then, are we told, that "the just shall live by his faith"? 3. Pre-engagement is another excuse which sinners make for not coming to Christ. 4. Some say they have tried, but cannot come to Christ. 5. Others, who are deeply bowed down in spirit, do not so much plead their inability, as their unfitness and unworthiness. They do not say they cannot come, but dare not come. There are some preparations and dispositions necessary, and they are destitute of them. Willingness is the only worthiness that Christ looks for: so that we are to come to Him not with qualifications, but for them. 6. Some stumble at the austerities of religion, and the dangers to which it will expose them. They own that it is glorious in its end, but complain that there is something very discouraging in the way. 7. It is the fear of some, that if they do come to Christ, they shall either be rejected, or dishonour Him. 8. Many who do not come to Christ now, purpose to do so hereafter. What is hard to-day will be harder to-morrow; and it is only the present hour, the present moment, that we can call our own. (B. Beddome, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: WEB: But he said to him, "A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people.