For all Christians the demands of God’s law remain. As Christians we do not get to pick and choose our obedience to God according to our circumstances. Because you think you deserve to live in a nice home and drive a nice car, it doesn’t give you the freedom to cheat on your taxes. Because you want to avoid a fine from the police, or save your reputation at work, it doesn’t mean it is acceptable to lie. Because you’re lonely and want to get married, it doesn’t mean that it is fine to date a non-Christian. Because you’re sad and feeling down, it doesn’t excuse your pornography addiction or substance abuse. Because you’re stressed and under a lot of pressure, it doesn’t excuse your outbursts of anger and laziness in the home. Because you are unhappy in marriage, it doesn’t give you the right to ask for a divorce.
The Lord’s dealings with Saul make it very clear that there is no wriggle room when it comes to God's commands. The letter of the law is the letter of the Spirit. Partial obedience is disobedience and the principles of God’s Word still apply—no matter what emergency you might find yourself in. It is not okay to ignore God’s words because you are scared. It is not okay to ignore God’s words because your friends do not like them or because a church fellowship says it is acceptable to do so. As an example, consider the Church of England. In the beginning of 2023, they have decided to bless same-sex unions, thereby drawing a line through the teaching of Scripture. Christians within that fellowship who seek to remain faithful to God’s Word will now be vilified and marked as schismatics.
Obedience to God is not easy. It is much easier to go along with the ways of the world, especially when the cost of faithfulness is high. By God’s grace there is forgiveness where we sin. The blood of Christ has paid for our shortcomings, even as his life has guaranteed our future in glory. We all struggle in our obedience and there are many changes that the Spirit still needs to work in our lives. But we must not make lots of excuses for our sin, as if God’s law does not apply to our particular situation. Obedience will always be costly, there will be risks involved, but that is what it means to walk by faith and not by sight. That is the way the Spirit wants us to respond to God’s grace.
1 Saul lived for one year and then became king, and when he had reigned for two years over Israel,