Godly Standards

But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you. (1 Samuel 13:14)

In disobedience to his calling, King Saul saw fit to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. He was not a priest, but a king! This was not all he did in disobedience to the Lord. He did not destroy all the Amalekites. He sought after a fortune teller. As we all know, if we are not obedient to the Lord, there are consequences. Many times these consequences may take time to occur, other times they are immediate. Often God grants us the grace to change our ways and holds back His punishment.

But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask more. (Luke 12:48)

If we call ourselves followers of Christ, we are accountable. It may seem we are getting away with sin. We may even convince ourselves that the decisions we make are acceptable to the Lord. More and more I see us as a Body becoming lax in our commitment to Godly principles. Human nature draws us to accept what the world accepts. We must carefully examine ourselves; as individuals, as families, as entities within CHRISTian circles, as the Body of Christ. We may lose some friends, yet gain the trust and respect of our Lord! Are we becoming like Saul? Are we adhering to all that God expects of us? Are we slacking in any areas? Are we holding ourselves and our youth accountable to Godly standards?

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (1 Peter 3:9)