Ignorance of the Law is no Excuse

Just because I did not see a speed limit sign or a stop sign, doesn’t mean that the sign is not valid. I can make as many excuses as I like, and even believe that they are valid, but that won’t change the reality: I was speeding, or I did not stop. That, according to the law, makes me guilty. No matter how many “buts” I might raise, the law stands. My excuses, reasons, and explanations don’t really change reality.

An exception?

Excuses and God

We might convince a police officer or judge that our excuse was rational and should be accepted. But God is completely aware of our hearts, motives, and excuses. They don’t hold water in his courtroom. To think otherwise is futile. The book of Romans makes our condemnation clear.

“For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So, they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:19-21

Thankfully, Romans doesn’t end with chapter three. Romans 8 must also be read.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:1-6

These two passages are just a sample of Romans. Read the entire book to get the full picture. You don’t need an excuse. You need a Savior.

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.