Sunday, I talked about the final straw for King Saul. His unwillingness to completely obey God demonstrated his devotion to himself and his own interests rather than to the sovereignty of God. As a result, he lost the kingdom. Here are 10 of my reflections from this important passage:
1. With God, there is always more to the story. He knows what we cannot know so He sometimes acts in ways we cannot understand.
2. Beware of the temptation to justify disobedience:
3. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Disobedience nullifies sacrifice. You can never do enough good things to offset a heart not completely devoted to God.
4. Obedience flows from an embrace of what God says is and is not best for me. Disobedience is the result of pursuing what I believe to be best for myself.
5. God loves, but does not need our sacrifice and offering. However, God loves us and knows we need to be obedient and submissive.
6. Obedience is not a transaction. We do not obey to "get God on our side" so He will give us what we want. We obey because we recognize that He knows what is best and He has prescribed for us the best life possible.
7. Because God loves us, obedience to Him is the pathway to the blessed life.
8. Some behaviors are clearly prescribed for those who follow Christ. If you are not engaged in those behaviors, your worship and generosity is meaningless without obedience.
9. Some behaviors are strictly prohibited for those who follow Christ. If you are engaged in those behaviors, your worship and generosity is meaningless without obedience.
10. What does God want you to stop doing? What does God want you to start doing? Will you obey?
1. With God, there is always more to the story. He knows what we cannot know so He sometimes acts in ways we cannot understand.
2. Beware of the temptation to justify disobedience:
- by painting an innacurate picture of incomplete disobedience
- by blaming others
- rationalizing your intentions
- by promoting an external spirituality
3. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Disobedience nullifies sacrifice. You can never do enough good things to offset a heart not completely devoted to God.
4. Obedience flows from an embrace of what God says is and is not best for me. Disobedience is the result of pursuing what I believe to be best for myself.
5. God loves, but does not need our sacrifice and offering. However, God loves us and knows we need to be obedient and submissive.
6. Obedience is not a transaction. We do not obey to "get God on our side" so He will give us what we want. We obey because we recognize that He knows what is best and He has prescribed for us the best life possible.
7. Because God loves us, obedience to Him is the pathway to the blessed life.
8. Some behaviors are clearly prescribed for those who follow Christ. If you are not engaged in those behaviors, your worship and generosity is meaningless without obedience.
- love God
- love your neighbor
- love one another
- be gracious
- be patient
- be joyful
- pray without ceasing
- dwell on God's Word
- meet together
9. Some behaviors are strictly prohibited for those who follow Christ. If you are engaged in those behaviors, your worship and generosity is meaningless without obedience.
- sexual immorality
- greed
- anger
- deceit
- envy
- hypocricy
- slander
10. What does God want you to stop doing? What does God want you to start doing? Will you obey?
