Checking Good Intentions Against God’s Intention

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.
James 2:10

Obedience to God’s will is not always convenient (see Genesis 6:13-22). Nor is it always logical (see Judges 6:1-5; 7:2). But the consequences of twisting one of God’s commandments into something more appealing can be deadly.

For example, Saul responded in a way that some might describe as logical or prudent: He and his fighting men “spared … everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely … They spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the lord” (1 Samuel 15:9,15).

Good intentions. But not God’s intentions. John Calvin explores this perspective on obedience.

WALK WITH JOHN CALVIN
“God will not be honored with exceptions, nor will he allow us to cut off from his law what is less pleasing to us. It is no obedience to God when obedience is rendered according to personal preference rather than all the time. Let there be, therefore, a consistency if we desire rightly to obey God.

“We then understand with James that if we cut off from God’s law what is less agreeable to us, though in other parts we may be obedient, yet we become guilty of all, because in one particular thing we violate the whole law.

“It is a general principle: God has prescribed to us a rule of life, which it is not lawful for us to mutilate.”

WALK CLOSER TO GOD
Sheep in the closet are always a sign that you’ve substituted what is convenient for what is obedient.

Saul’s presumption came to light with Samuel’s probing question: “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears?” (1 Samuel 15:14).

Regardless of whether you can explain it fully, God’s will is always “good, pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).

And before you conclude that you have a better idea than obeying God’s commandments, let Samuel’s words burn their way deeply into your heart: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).