It was Jesus who taught that “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk. 6.45). It makes good sense then that we can get a good read on what is in our hearts by what comes out of our mouths. Particularly as Christians, we can learn a lot about what we believe about the gospel by listening to ourselves talk.
There is one phrase that is particularly indicting. It is a phrase that unwittingly slashes the gospel tires while making a personal excuse. In other words, this phrase deflates the gospel of its power while inflating us with an excuse. As a result, I think we should dump it from our vocabulary. The phrase is: “I can’t.”
With this phrase I am not speaking with reference to personal limitations (i.e. “I can’t pick up a Volkswagon.” or, “I can’t eat all of my steak.”). Instead, I am speaking with reference to the power needed to change.
There have been a number of times that I have heard believers talk, either in casual conversation or more formally in counseling, with an attitude of defeat and victimization. When confronted with the moral imperatives of Scripture (what we should think or do) people say, “I can’t do that.” Why not? Where is the limitation? Is it a matter of ethics? Is God calling them to do something that is immoral? Of course not. Is it a matter of power? Is God calling them to do something that they do not have sufficient power in and through the Holy Spirit? Absolutely not.
What is it then? It is a matter of the will. When we say, “I can’t do that.” what we really mean is, “I won’t do that.” This is a matter of the will. It is a choice. This is not to say that it is not an excuse. It is; it is just a really poor excuse. Furthermore, it is a gospel-denying, Holy Spirit eclipsing, humanistic excuse (Rom. 6.5-8, 6.12-14, 6.17-19; 1 John 3.6-10).
We would be much better served to be honest. Say, “I really don’t want to do that. That would be hard. I’m having a difficult time with what God has called me to do and be.” This provides the other person the opportunity to come alongside of you with prayer and biblical encouragement.
The gospel is seen to be so much more powerfully life-transforming when we realize that we are not victims but sinners. And as sinners, we are now adopted sons who are ruled by God’s Word and in-dwelt by God the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8.12-17). Part of the transformation that comes through sanctification is the work upon our hearts, by way of our minds, and shows itself in our speech.
Therefore, don’t allow yourself or your friends to slash the gospel’s tires. Be honest. Be weak. Be biblical. Instead of hiding behind bad excuses this will actually bring the change we desire.
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Erik, with the verses you posted this seems to be accurate, but what about where Jesus tells us that we must be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect?
Tyler, could you elaborate a bit more? I’m not sure I understand your comment/question.
Sure. Sorry about that.
Matthew 5:48 says “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Typically the Calvinist understanding of this verse, consistent with the rest of the bible, is that we are unable to be this perfect. Yet it is an exhortation from Jesus. It seems appropriate to say “I can’t”, though, in this instance, because we understand that this statement from Jesus was ultimately intended to drive us to the point of understanding that we can’t be perfect and that we must instead have the perfection of another alien righteousness imputed to us; we have to have Jesus in our place because of our imperfection. And we do not become perfect after salvation while still alive on Earth, nor can we.
So what I was not clear about earlier was, I agree with the thrust of the article, but it seems clear that there is at least one moral imperative / exhortation in the Bible which we should acknowledge we cannot perform. Though we can be without known sin for a short time, I think, we can’t be perfect in this life. I know that you agree with that. But in regard to the passages dealing more specifically with personal need to change on specific sin issues, I think you are right. I just thought it was an important thing to clarify.
Dear Erik
My life is full of wonderful (labor intensive) projects.
I garden at home for the food bank. It;s not alot,
however love doing it
Otherwise life is full of health issues and I can’t
Maybe soon.
Great Book
The Gospel by Greg Gilbert