Welcome!
Today: When God does not forgive!
Passage: 1 Sam 15
24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. 25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD.” 26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!” (1 Sam 15)-emphasis added
After the incident in 1 Sam 15, and after justifying himself that he took those animals and stuff for sacrifice to God, Saul made an “attempt” to repent.
But the whole idea was that he could keep his position, more than reconciling with God. Samuel rejected Saul’s plea. After that day, Samuel never met Saul again!
35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel (1 Sam 15, NIV)
There are many in leadership today, about whom the Lord is grieving!
The moment Israel asked for a king, God had told them all these “risks”
Israel brought it upon themselves, not willing to listen to/accept God’s plan
Sin against God and worship is serious. It is the same way, even in the NT
31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Mat 12, NIV)
God expects us to be committed to God, and to not treat God’s things like something on the side. Commitment is a rare item these days
Yesterday, I was listening to news that marriage is becoming “History” in the U.S. Many believe that marriage is “a thing of the past”
It may look good for many to be “independent”, but they become dependent on somebody or something else. When one “trouble” is avoided, another comes in
Commitment has its own cost. Jesus Christ is our role-model in commitment. Following Jesus just for bread or or things like that will not take us too far. Judas Isacriot was one like that. He was not committed to Jesus, but to money. It cost him too much!
Let us be careful, as to how we treat God, worship and Church
Whether it be committee or ministry, we better be careful with God’s stuff
God bless your day
BG
Prayer: Father God, help me to be committed to you, as you are, to me. Help me not to get into any types of games or politics, when it comes to the things of God. Help me also to focus on you and do what you want me to. In Jesus name, Amen.
“There is a cost for commitment; but it is even costlier, not to be committed”