Rebecca, hi, I, as our Lord Jesus never look to judge another,nor condemn another for there lack,for who among is without sin?? No stones in my pocket! Rom 2:1-5 please look close at verse 4!! For this was how I came forth a believer! However, yes Rebecca there is a however,many believers look to remain in the hardest valley in there life to ever get out of,the Valley of excuses! ( rom 6) really the whole chapter is great but look close at verse 14 sis.
It took me so many years myself to get out of this valley!! But now that I am out I am going to stay out!! As you said, it is indeed a choice we have to make,there are many crossroads after we become a believer,many think all is dandy after coming to Jesus in our lives,but they could not be more mistaken, for with our Jesus comes accountability,and in this we decide for ourselves how far in the race we intend to go,all the way,or not at all!!( rev 3:16)
And so it is sister we either mature, or we remain giving excuses for where we presently are.( 1 Cor 14:20) How another decides is not my business,my business is to encourage those to stop making excuses for there present lives and start living the new creature life that was given us through our Jesus.
For indeed sister when each of us comes before the very throne of God we have no excuses!!( rom 1:20) I have stopped making them for myself,my hope is others will follow. For in this way, through our Jesus can we become rooted and grounded in love.( eph 3:17-21) and grow in faith!! For the very entrance into the kingdom we all know and love can only be supplied to us, IF!!! we follow in his truth rather then our excuses!!( 2 Peter 1:3-11!!!!)