Apologies and excuses # 2
June 1, 2023
To apologize is one of the most difficult behaviors for us humans. In fact, it’s so hard that when we muster up to courage to do so, we often blubber out an excuse after our apology. The reason Benjamin Franklin’s admonition to never water down an apology with an excuse rings so true, is because we’ve heard it and done it ourselves. Read I Samuel 15. King Saul’s classic was, “Yes, I have disobeyed your instructions. . . because I was afraid of the people.’ In other words, ‘not my fault, theirs.’ The ultimate–‘the devil made me do it.’
Accepting responsibility is a mark of a mature Christian. Excuses give one permission to repeat that behavior, and show that the apology is likely a surface thing only, not true repentance. Take responsibility, full responsibility and simply accept forgiveness.