My writes

Do you obey or do you justify?

Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than the fat of rams.1Samuel 15:22

Saul was given very specific instructions by God to attach the Amalekites and destroy everything that belongs to them - putting to death men, women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys (v3). However, Saul spared king Aga's life and kept the best plunder (v9). He justified how he can honour God with the plunder (v15 & 21). As a result, God's favour departed from him.

At times, we "justify" our actions under the pretense of bringing glory to God. Pursuing a relationship with a non-believer under the pretense of adding another soul into God's kingdom. Making money, at the expense of one's integrity (as mild as putting in 100-hr work week to as blatant as corruption), under the pretense of giving it away for God's purposes. If I could imagine God's face, it would be a sly smirk, one eyebrow raised with a sarcastic "Oh really?". More often that not, we fall away - the pilgrimage is diluted and we keep the money. It is the motive, it is the issue of the heart. God doesn't need anything from us - He is no one's debtor. He wants our love, and at the heart of our love for Him is obedience (1John 2:4).

posted by Mel-Vern @ 11:33 PM