“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” — Colossians 1:9 (NIV)
In this verse, Paul expresses one of the most important spiritual priorities: that believers should be filled with the knowledge of God’s will. This knowledge isn’t just intellectual it involves spiritual wisdom and understanding (synesis) given by the Holy Spirit.
In Christian theology, God’s will is commonly understood in three dimensions:
This refers to God’s unchangeable plan that governs all of history. It is hidden and cannot be thwarted.
“The Lord Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.’” — Isaiah 14:24
“Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” — Psalm 115:3
This aligns with the doctrine of divine sovereignty. God’s ultimate purposes (like Christ’s crucifixion for our redemption Acts 2:23) unfold exactly as He intends.
This is God’s revealed will in Scripture what He commands all people to do.
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:3
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Do not lie. Do not steal. Love one another.” — (Various commands in Romans 13, Exodus 20)
This reflects God’s holiness and moral character, and aligns with the ethical aspect of sanctification growing in Christlikeness (cf. Romans 8:29).
This is God’s unique guidance for individual decisions such as career, relationships, or ministry assignments.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” — Isaiah 30:21
“The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’” — Acts 8:29
This is associated with divine providence and personal calling, which varies per individual and is discerned over time through spiritual disciplines and surrender.
The Bible outlines several key ways by which believers can discern God’s will for their lives:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” — James 1:5
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” — Colossians 4:2
Prayer is a means of grace, a spiritual discipline by which believers engage God relationally and receive His wisdom. According to Reformed theology, prayer aligns us with God’s purposes more than it changes God’s mind (cf. Matthew 6:10 – “Your will be done”).
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” — Psalm 119:105
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17
According to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone), the Bible is the highest authority for faith and life. The general will of God is always consistent with Scripture, and personal guidance never contradicts it.
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” — Proverbs 15:22
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” — Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” — Acts 15:28
In ecclesiology (the theology of the church), the body of Christ functions together in mutual edification and discernment. This reflects the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) and the need for communal discernment, especially in major decisions.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12:2
“But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” — Hebrews 5:14
This connects with sanctification and the work of the Holy Spirit. As we grow in Christ, we develop discernment a spiritual “radar” to sense what aligns with God’s heart. This is what Paul called “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 7:21
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” — 1 John 2:17
This highlights the difference between nominal Christianity (in name only) and true discipleship. Doing God’s will is not just about knowledge it’s about obedience, which is the fruit of saving faith (James 2:17).
“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs… and strengthen your frame.” — Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)
Knowing and doing God’s will is not a mystery for the elite, but a calling for every believer. Through prayer, Scripture, community, and spiritual maturity, God lovingly makes His will known to those who seek Him.
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
Be Blessed
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In ministry and Christian living, understanding how to confront sin and error biblically is vital. The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy (and by extension, all believers) on how to handle falsehood, sin, and immaturity in the church in 2 Timothy 4:2:
2 Timothy 4:1–2 (NKJV)“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”
The original Greek verbs here—elencho (convince/correct), epitimao (rebuke), and parakaleo (exhort/encourage)—describe different levels and approaches of dealing with sin and error.
Meaning: To expose error, show someone their fault, and bring them to understanding with the goal of repentance and restoration.
Theological insight: This reflects God’s patience and desire for people to turn from sin (see 2 Timothy 3:16, where Scripture is “profitable for correction”).
Purpose: To teach and restore, especially effective with those who are new or weak in faith.
Example: Jesus corrected His disciples gently (John 16:7-11) and Paul corrected believers with teaching.
Meaning: A stronger action than correction; a verbal, authoritative command ordering sin or error to cease.
Theological insight: This is a serious confrontation of sin, requiring boldness and spiritual authority. The rebuke is part of divine discipline (Hebrews 12:6), reflecting God’s holiness and intolerance of sin.
Purpose: To bring immediate cessation of sinful behavior, often in the context of deliberate or ongoing disobedience.
Example: Jesus rebuked demons and even His own disciples when they failed to understand (Mark 1:25, Luke 9:42).
Meaning: To encourage or urge someone toward righteousness and perseverance.
Theological insight: Exhortation is essential to build up the body of Christ, reminding believers of God’s promises and empowering faith.
Purpose: To strengthen and motivate toward holy living after correction and rebuke.
Correction/Reproof is often patient and instructional — suitable for minor faults, spiritual immaturity, or lack of understanding.
Rebuking is firm, urgent, and authoritative — applied to serious, ongoing sins or dangerous behaviors that threaten the community or individual’s soul.
Both are necessary tools for church discipline and personal spiritual growth.
Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 5:11–13 (NKJV) provide the scriptural basis for church discipline:
“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person…Put away from yourselves the evil person.”
This passage shows the seriousness of rebuking and removing unrepentant sinners from the fellowship.
The goal is not condemnation but restoration, consistent with God’s redemptive plan.
Jesus did not hesitate to rebuke even His closest followers for disobedience or misunderstanding (e.g., Peter in Matthew 16:23).
He rebuked demons authoritatively, demonstrating the spiritual authority believers are given (Luke 9:42).
When ministering deliverance, the Bible commands us to rebuke demons—not politely request but authoritatively command:
Luke 9:42 (NKJV): “Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.”
The authority to rebuke demonic forces is rooted in the believer’s union with Christ (Luke 10:19), showing the power of God over evil.
Both correction and rebuke come from God’s heart of love for holiness and restoration.
As ministers and believers, we are called to use Scripture boldly but lovingly, discerning when to instruct gently and when to confront firmly.
The ultimate goal is to reflect Christ’s holiness and love, protect the church’s purity, and lead souls to repentance and eternal life.
“Lord, grant us wisdom and courage to correct and rebuke as Your Spirit leads, always in love and truth, that Your church may be sanctified and Your name glorified. Amen.”
One of the most profound promises of the Holy Spirit to believers is His empowering presence to speak the mind and wisdom of God. This is evident throughout Scripture. From the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 to Paul’s teachings in 1 Corinthians, Spirit-inspired speech often in the form of prophecy, prayer, or bold proclamation is a clear sign of the Spirit at work.
When the Holy Spirit comes into a person’s life, He does not remain silent. He speaks and often, through the believer’s own mouth. The Spirit does not merely give feelings; He gives words that align with the will and nature of God.
On Pentecost, when the Spirit descended, He appeared as tongues of fire and rested on each of the gathered disciples:
“And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” — Acts 2:3–4 (ESV)
The “tongue” symbolizes speech. Fire, in Scripture, often represents purification, presence, and power (cf. Isaiah 6:6–7). This manifestation was not random. It showed that the primary evidence of the Spirit’s presence would be seen in what believers speak whether in tongues, prophecy, or preaching.
Contrary to popular belief, prophecy in the New Testament is not restricted to the “office of the prophet.” Paul teaches that all believers can operate in this gift to build up the Church.
“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” — Acts 2:17 (ESV)
“For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged.” — 1 Corinthians 14:31 (ESV)
The Greek word for prophesy (prophēteuō) means to speak forth, to declare the will and counsel of God. It includes foretelling (future events) and forth-telling (speaking God’s truth for now). Every believer can do this as the Spirit enables.
Jesus taught His disciples not to worry about what to say when brought before authorities, because the Spirit would give them words in the moment.
“For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” — Matthew 10:20 (ESV)
This is an important theological principle: the Spirit indwells us (Romans 8:11) and speaks through us when we yield. The believer becomes a mouthpiece of God when surrendered in obedience.
Prayer is another way the Holy Spirit speaks. Paul tells us that even our weakness in prayer is met by the Spirit’s intercession:
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” — Romans 8:26 (ESV)
Many believers feel they cannot pray for long or run out of words. But the key is not eloquence it’s surrender. As you continue praying, meditating on God’s Word, and staying in conversation with Him, the Spirit takes over. Sometimes what starts as routine prayer flows into deep intercession, revelation, or prophecy.
Paul gives a clear warning:
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:19–20 (ESV)
One way we quench the Spirit is by keeping silent when He prompts us to speak. Some people long to speak in tongues or prophesy but never give the Spirit room to act by opening their mouths and speaking in faith.
Sometimes, prophecy doesn’t come with thunder and lightning it comes through ordinary speech. This is seen in the account of Caiaphas, the high priest:
“He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation.” — John 11:51 (ESV)
Even without full awareness, his position and words became prophetic. This shows us that God can speak powerfully even through casual conversations, especially when your heart and mind are yielded to Him.
In the Old Testament, Isaac spoke blessings over Jacob and Esau, and those words shaped their futures (Genesis 27). You too, as a believer, can speak God’s destiny over your children.
Use your mouth to bless your children and family. Speak life, identity, purpose, and truth. These declarations become prophetic when spoken under the guidance of the Spirit.
If someone is sick, speak healing boldly not as a ritual, but in faith, trusting the Spirit’s power to back your words. Speak God’s Word over people. Paul said:
“Let all things be done for building up.” — 1 Corinthians 14:26 (ESV)
Whether you’re preaching, praying, teaching, or just encouraging a friend, let your speech be saturated with Scripture and Spirit-led faith. You never know when you’re delivering a word straight from God’s heart.
The mouth of the believer is not just for human talk it is an instrument of the Holy Spirit. If you are in Christ and filled with the Spirit, you already have a mouth of fire. Let it speak.
“Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” — Psalm 81:10 (ESV)
Let the Holy Spirit flow through your words not only in church settings but also in your home, your workplace, and your community. Your obedience in speaking could be someone else’s breakthrough.
May the Lord bless you and anoint your mouth for His glory.
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Hebrews 6:17–19 (NIV) Theme: God’s Promise and Oath as the Believer’s Anchor
In the Christian journey, faith can sometimes be shaken by trials, doubts, or uncertainty. But Scripture offers a firm foundation two unchangeable things that serve as a steadfast anchor for our souls. These are not abstract ideas but divine realities backed by God’s own nature and character.
The writer of Hebrews points us to these two things in
Hebrews 6:17–19 (NIV):
17 “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain…”
To understand this passage, we must go back to the story of Abraham. God gave him an extraordinary promise: that he would be the father of many nations and that through his offspring all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:1–3, 15:5–6).
However, in Genesis 22:15–18, after Abraham’s faithful obedience in offering Isaac, God confirmed His promise with an oath:
Genesis 22:16–17 (NIV):
“I swear by myself,” declares the LORD, “that because you have done this… I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars…”
In ancient times, oaths were solemn and binding.
Hebrews 6:16 explains,
“Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.”
God, having no one greater, swore by Himself. This is not because His Word was insufficient, but to accommodate human weakness and offer absolute assurance (see also
Numbers 23:19,
“God is not a man, that he should lie…”).
According to Hebrews 6:18, these two unchangeable things are:
The promise made to Abraham finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Paul confirms this in:
Galatians 3:16 (NIV): “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed… meaning one person, who is Christ.”
Also, the priesthood of Christ is backed by God’s oath, not just lineage (as with the Levitical priests):
Hebrews 7:21 (NIV):
“…but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever.’”
Because of this, Jesus becomes the guarantor of a better covenant one based on grace, not the Law.
Hebrews 6:19 (NIV):
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain…”
Hope in Christ is not wishful thinking it is a confident expectation rooted in God’s unchanging Word and oath.
The “inner sanctuary” refers to the Most Holy Place the very presence of God, which only the High Priest could enter under the Old Covenant.
But now, Jesus has entered on our behalf (Hebrews 6:20), giving us direct access to God (Hebrews 4:16).
Because God has confirmed His promise by both His Word and His Oath, we can:
Without Jesus, there is no true hope. All of God’s promises are “Yes and Amen” in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
If you haven’t received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, now is the time. Turn to Him. Believe in His promise. He has already sworn by Himself that He will never leave or forsake those who come to Him.
The two unchangeable things God’s Promise and God’s Oath stand as eternal witnesses that we can trust Him. Our salvation is not based on emotion or chance, but on the unchanging character of God and the finished work of Jesus Christ.
This is a sensitive and important question that touches on both biblical teaching and cultural norms. Let’s explore what the Bible says about this situation both from the Old Testament and the New Testament and how Christians today should think about it.
In the Old Covenant, there was a specific law known as levirate marriage (from the Latin levir, meaning “brother-in-law”). According to Deuteronomy 25:5–10, if a man died without leaving a son, his brother was obligated to marry the widow to raise offspring in the name of the deceased. This was to preserve the family line and inheritance within the tribes of Israel.
Deuteronomy 25:5–6 (ESV)
“If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.”
This law served a theological and societal purpose in ancient Israel:
However, this command was limited to that cultural and covenantal context. It was not about romantic love or personal choice, but fulfilling a duty to family and community.
When we come to the New Testament, the levirate marriage law is not carried over. Under the New Covenant, marriage is treated more personally, emphasizing freedom in Christ, the leading of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of mutual consent and faith in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:39 (ESV)
“A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.”
Romans 7:2–3 (ESV)
“For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.”
These passages teach that once a spouse dies, the surviving partner is no longer bound by the marital covenant and is free to remarry but the marriage must still honor the Lord.
So technically, yes, a Christian can marry a deceased brother’s wife, as long as both are single and the relationship is Christ-centered.
Even though the New Testament gives freedom, Paul reminds us that not everything permissible is beneficial:
1 Corinthians 10:23 (ESV)
“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.”
In other words, just because something is allowed doesn’t mean it’s always the wisest or most loving choice. Here are a few things to consider:
Such a marriage could cause tension or division within the family.
Are both individuals genuinely pursuing God’s will, or is the relationship based on emotional need or convenience?
So, what should a Christian do in this situation?
James 1:5 (ESV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
If you asked me for personal advice, I would recommend you seek someone else to marry, unless you’re absolutely sure the relationship is pleasing to God, honors your families, and strengthens your witness in the community.
So in summary:
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
May the Lord give you wisdom, peace, and clarity in every decision. God bless you.
Luke 16:19–31 (ESV)
“And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’”— Luke 16:24, ESV
Jesus tells this story not as a parable in the traditional sense (since He names specific people like Lazarus and Abraham), but as a theological window into the afterlife. It’s a powerful picture of two eternal destinies one of comfort and the other of torment.
The rich man lived in luxury, ignoring the suffering of Lazarus, who sat at his gate. But after death, their positions were reversed. Lazarus was comforted in “Abraham’s side” (a Jewish term for paradise), and the rich man was tormented in Hades.
At first glance, the rich man seems to ask for just a drop of physical water to cool his tongue. But this request reveals something deeper: he is expressing a spiritual thirst, an eternal regret, and a desperate longing for relief and grace that he rejected during his life.
This isn’t just physical thirst it’s symbolic of the absence of God’s presence.
Throughout the Bible, water is a strong symbol for life, refreshment, and the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at the well, He told her:
“…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”— John 4:14, ESV
This “living water” is the Holy Spirit, given to those who believe in Christ. It satisfies the deepest thirst of the soul something no riches, relationships, or earthly pleasures can do.
Before Christ, all humanity was spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Even the Old Testament saints like Moses and Elijah were saved by faith in the coming Messiah, as shown in:
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar…”— Hebrews 11:13, ESV
Their hope was in the future fulfillment found in Christ’s death and resurrection.
But for those who reject Christ now like the rich man did there is no second chance after death. He longed for even a drop of grace, but it was too late.
Abraham responds to the rich man:
“…between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.”— Luke 16:26, ESV
This signifies the finality of eternal separation from God. In this life, grace is available freely through Jesus. But after death, that offer is closed.
Jesus often spoke about hell (Greek: Gehenna) as a place of eternal separation from God, marked by conscious suffering:
“…where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”— Mark 9:48, ESV
This aligns with what the rich man experiences. He is aware, he remembers his life, and he feels pain both emotional and spiritual.
Even now, a heart without Christ is described as “dry” or empty a dwelling place for evil:
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest…”— Matthew 12:43, ESV
Without the Holy Spirit (the water of life), people become spiritually barren open to confusion, sin, and darkness.
We’re living in the last days, and Jesus is still offering living water to all who will come to Him:
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me… ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”— John 7:37–38, ESV
Jesus doesn’t just give a cup of water He gives an eternal spring.
Like the rich man, many realize the truth after death when no remedy remains. Today, grace is available. Don’t wait for a crisis or tragedy.
“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”— 2 Corinthians 6:2, ESV
The rich man didn’t go to hell because he was rich but because he lived without God. He ignored the chance to receive living water while alive.
Right now, Jesus is offering you eternal life, peace, and satisfaction for your soul.
Be blessed
Jesus Christ warned that the moral and spiritual conditions of humanity in the last days would mirror those of Noah’s and Lot’s generations. His words were not merely about historical events; they were prophetic indicators for the Church to remain vigilant.
Notice the activities Jesus listed—eating, drinking, marrying, buying, selling, planting, and building. None of these are inherently sinful; they are part of ordinary human life. However, in Noah’s and Lot’s days, these common pursuits became ultimate pursuits, pushing God to the margins of daily life. The warning is clear: when normal life blinds people to eternal realities, judgment will come unexpectedly (Matthew 24:37–39).
This sign applies to two distinct groups:
1. Those who do not know God (the world)
2. Those who profess to know God (the Church)
1. THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD
In Genesis 6 and 19, we see societies drowning in moral corruption and spiritual apathy. People in Noah’s day indulged in violence, gluttony, and unlawful marriages (Genesis 6:2, 5). In Lot’s day, Sodom and Gomorrah were infamous for sexual perversion and pride (Ezekiel 16:49–50; Jude 1:7). Both generations ignored God’s warnings through His servants and were overtaken by sudden judgment.
Today, we witness similar patterns:
Corruption and bribery are commonplace in commerce (Proverbs 11:1).
Immorality and serial marriages/divorces are normalized (Matthew 19:4–6).
Drunkenness and excessive partying are celebrated rather than condemned (Galatians 5:19–21).
Paul describes this end-times moral collapse in 2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV):
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.
Such conditions among unbelievers are a prophetic alarm—the return of Christ is near.
2. THOSE WHO PROFESS TO KNOW GOD (THE CHURCH)
Yet Jesus’ warning was not only for the world. His parable of the Great Banquet in Luke 14 reveals a sobering truth: even those invited to His kingdom feast can miss it through distraction.
Luke 14:16–20 (ESV) A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’
Luke 14:16–20 (ESV)
A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’
And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’
The excuses were not sinful in themselves—purchasing land, conducting business, and marriage are good gifts from God. However, they reveal a heart more consumed with earthly priorities than with the kingdom of God.
Jesus also warned in Matthew 13:22 (NASB) about the seed choked by “the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth,” which renders the Word unfruitful. Many believers today are in this state: prayer neglected, fellowship forsaken, and devotion crowded out by careers, family obligations, and social pursuits.
THE COST OF EXCUSES
The master’s response in the parable is severe:
Luke 14:21–24 (NKJV) Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.… For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.
Luke 14:21–24 (NKJV)
Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.… For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.
This reveals a sobering truth: grace rejected is grace forfeited. Those who continually excuse themselves from God’s call may be left out when the door closes (Matthew 25:10–12). Just as the flood swept away the unprepared and fire consumed the indifferent, so judgment will come suddenly upon those unready when Christ returns (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3)
A WARNING AND A CALL
Which group do you belong to?
Are you eating and drinking for pleasure, or in gratitude to God (1 Corinthians 10:31)?
Are you buying and selling with integrity, or compromising for gain (Proverbs 20:23)?
Have legitimate blessings—work, marriage, family—become excuses to neglect God.
The call of Christ is clear:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33 NKJV).
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you
(Matthew 6:33 NKJV).
LIVING READY
The apostle Peter exhorts us:
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:11–12 NASB).
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God”
(2 Peter 3:11–12 NASB).
The true mark of readiness is not merely knowing prophecy, but living in holiness and undistracted devotion. The Bridegroom is coming—will we be found prepared, or preoccupied?
FINAL EXHORTATION
Let us lay aside excuses, repent of misplaced priorities, and serve the Lord with undivided hearts. Ordinary life—work, marriage, family—is good, but must never replace the ultimate call to love God supremely (Deuteronomy 6:5; Revelation 2:4).
Maranatha—Come, Lord Jesus!