Does God require our obedience?

In first Samuel chapter 15 We are presented with the story surrounding the beginning of the downfall of the first King of Israel. Saul is commissioned to execute judgement on Gods enemy, the Amalekites. Amalek was a tribe of depraved cowards; descendants of Jacobs brother Esau. They set themselves against Israel when they snuck around behind them after their long journey from Egypt, attacking and killing the weakest of them. As a consequence, God, through his prophet Samuel, commanded Saul: "Now go and strike Amalek and utterly destroy all that he has, and do not spare him; but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”Sparing Agag, the king of Amalek and some of the livestock, the anointed one of Israel failed to obey Gods Command. 

Saul genuinely believed that he was doing what was acceptable to God, feeling that his compromises were faithful and just. He had spared the sheep and the oxen for the purpose of sacrifice after all. But the Lord was not pleased with him.

“Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king.”

Saul lost his kingship due to his apparently innocent compromise.

But, What about the new testament? Christ died for my sins, fulfilled the old covenant of laws. Is obedience still required? Yes! Err.., Well ... Let's see.

"So Jesus answered them and said, "My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or [whether] I speak from Myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."

- John 7:16-18

Let's look at another verse:

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the [child] born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome."

- 1Jo 5:1-3

Its easy for me to read the narrative of the old testament and shake my head at the disobedience of Saul and of Israel, but when I put myself in their shoes and look at the parallels in my own life It becomes obvious to me that I am often no better than they were. I can see how easy it is to fall into the traps of self-will, self-deception, and trying to establish my own righteousness instead of subjecting myself to Gods. I can comfortably sneer at the golden calf , Baals and Ashteroths (male and female dieties) Gods people repeatedly went back to because I don't come from the  ancient pantheistic world of Egypt , Canaan and Babylon. I come from the world we are all more familiar with. The secular world of  Spider-man, Instagram models and unlimited access to free knowledge. It is evident that these and other modern cultural phenomena have a tendency to occupy the same places in our hearts that the various abominations of the ancient world occupied in the hearts and minds of their followers. 

We demonstrate our love for God by keeping his commandments

God has a divine plan that will come to fruition, but he also has a plan for each of us which is contingent upon our obedience. Let us not miss out on any opportunities God provides for personal growth and clarity due to our lack of obedience. Rather than asking God what his will is for our lives. Obey him. acknowledge the proddings, whatever he may be convicting you of as you abide in his word and in prayer. 

Our worship must always be in spirit and in truth. So be honest. We know what we are being convicted of, What He is drawing us to do or to stop doing. Obey, and He will guide you into all truth and give you His peace.

   Tell me What you think. I appreciate all comments and look forward to hearing from you. :)

 Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash