SCRIPTURES TO ANSWER PEOPLES EXCUSES AND DIFFICULTIES
(From Classic Soul Winners New Testament,
Anchor Bible Concepts - Nashville, TN)
Afraid I cannot live it:
- Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Jude 24
- Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
- I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Always been a Christian:
- Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5
- But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12
- Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
Amusements worldly:
- Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31
- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father in not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. I John 2:15-17
- Abstain from all appearance of evil. I Thessalonians 5:22
Backslider:
- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins he faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:7-9
- My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:1,2
- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are make manifest in your consciences. II Corinthians 5:10,11
Backslider who will not repent:
- Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:7,8
- For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Hebrews 12:6
- For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. I Corinthians 11:30
Bible is the World of God:
- For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. II Peter 1:21
- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. II Timothy 3:16
- For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. I Thessalonians 2:13
Cannot believe:
- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
- But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolater, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. Revelation 21:8
- Trust in the Lord with all thine hear; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6
Cannot forgive. - For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14
- Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye form your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:33-35
- And be ye king one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
Cannot give up my friends:
- Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4
- And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot: God forbid. What:? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body: for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. I Corinthinans 6:14-18
- Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. Proverbs 24:1
Cannot understand the Bible:
- But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:14
- But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. II Corinthians 3:14-16
- But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. II Corinthians 4:3
Catholicism:
- Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
- For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. I Timothy 2:5
Do not have to attend Church:
- Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
- And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of hear. Acts 2:46
- But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Church member:
- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
- And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. I John 5:11-12
Death ends everything:
- And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27
- There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously everyday; And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sore. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angles into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke 16:19-24
- And I saw a great throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dad which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev. 20:11-15
Everyone will go to heaven:
- He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
- He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36
- That they all might be damned who believe no the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thessalonians 2:12
I do not feel ready:
- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
- …him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37b
- And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.I John 5:11-12
God is too good to damn anyone:
- For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. II Peter 2:4
- He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16
- That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thessalonians 2:12
God's existence:
- Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him form the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:19,20
- The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Psalm 19:1
- And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. I Timothy 3:16
- How do we know there is a heaven?
- After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Matthew 6:9
- For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. II Corinthians 5:1
- And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:1,4
How do we know there is a hell?
- There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angles into Abraham's bosom; the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes being in torments and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke 16:19-24
- Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41
- But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear; Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea; I say unto you, Fear him. Luke 12:5
Too many hypocrites:
- So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:12
- And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:51
- And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, an not unto men. Colossians 3:23
I pray every day:
- Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
- But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12
- Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
Jehovah's Witnesses:
- Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and than not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
- And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given an understanding, that we may known him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. I John 5:20
Jewish people:
- All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord; hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
- Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
- And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:14-18
Mormonism:
- Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3
- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
- Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall noflesh be justified. Galatians 2:16
Must get better first:
- Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
- Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:3b
- And the publican standing afar off, would not life up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:13,14
Not now:
- Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1
- For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2
- And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man. Genesis 6:3a
Not willing to give up my sin:
- Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians.6:7,8
- That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. II Thessalonians 2:12
- Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1:15
Fear of persecution:
- Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:11.12
- For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Roman 8:18
- If we suffer, we shall also reign with him… II Timothy 2:12a
Procrastination:
- My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. Proverbs 27:11
- For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2
- And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man. Genesis 6:3a
Self-righteous:
- And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others; Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:9-14
- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
- Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, buy the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5
Sincerity is all that matters:
- There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12
- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
- But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12
Spiritism:
- Now the works of the flesh are manifiest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, withcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in the time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
- But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death. Revelation 21:8
- And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. Leviticus 20:6
Too great a sinner:
- Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
- Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37b
- The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. I John 1:7b
Too much to give up:
- For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36,37
- But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33
- Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. I John 2:15-17
Trying to go to heaven:
- Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but my me. John 14:6
- For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
- Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16
Unpardonable sin:
- Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Matthew 12:31,32
- Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37b
- For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
When God wants me saved, He will let me know:
- For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2
- Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
- The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
Where I spend eternity is up to God:
- But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12
- And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
- There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death Proverbs 14:12
Works will take me to heaven:
- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift; of God; Not of works lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8,9
- Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. Titus 3:5
- Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16