Allowance Not Excuses

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” Rom. 15:7 [NIV, emphasis added].

If two people agree on everything, one person in the relationship is not necessary. For example, my wife fills some kegs with water. Years before, it would have been a major issue for me because I cannot understand  why. She would say it is a standby for when there is no water. My thoughts were, women just want some form of security, so I dismiss it. Then one day, the water supply was actually cut off and I would have gone around smelling the whole day if she had not kept that water. Then I finally understood. The truth is that sometimes you will not understand the other person but just accept it. Do not try to force the other person into your mould. In fact, that is the beauty of relationships.

#2. GO TO GOD WITH YOUR DISSAPOINTMENTS: There will be times when it is not actually a difference but  a fault, a sin, an error, or even disappointments. Am I saying you should accept that also? What I am saying is the second practical thing to do is go to God with your disappointments. Note that I have not said you should go to another man but go to God alone with your disappointments. As long as you are dealing with human beings, you are going to be disappointed.

“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love” Eph. 4:2 [TLB, emphasis added]. But the Bible did not say making excuses for each other’s faults. That is what some people do and it is wrong. You are not supposed to excuse people’s faults. The man is abusing you and you are making excuses for him? Do not excuse it. The Bible did not say excuse it; the Bible said make allowance for it. In other words, make provision for it. So God’s suggested approach is acknowledging that the situation has to be dealt with but understanding that it will take time, hence the need to make allowances.

Let’s say the man is hooked on drugs, it is wrecking the finances of the family and showing the children a bad example. The practical and wise thing to do would be to leave him alone until he gets help. He may come back clean, then, you have given him allowance. They say he that fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. Leave him alone. Let him go and resolve his issues. That is allowance.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to make allowances and not excuses for people, in Jesus Name.