Pattern and Principles: Its Not so Much the Sin, but the Cover-up or Excuses

Pattern and Principles: Its not so much the Sin, but the Cover-Up or Excuses

Please read: 1 Samuel 15 (the entire chapter).

The wages of Sin is death. When we sin (go against God’s will or word) we pay consequences, however, throughout scripture, we find that the consequence with the most impact, is not so much the original sin but when the person/nation involved refuses to repent of that sin, rather planning cover-up or giving excuses.

The context of 1 Sam. 15, was God through Samuel (prophet) telling Saul (king) to go and fight the Amalekites, that victory is already israel’s, but on the condition that every living thing must be wiped out (I know some people are trying to figure God out, why He ask Saul to wipe an entire people out – that is his prerogative and that is why He is God – I personally try not to think on things beyond my pay grade).

In the context of obedience, Saul went to battle and won, but rather than heed instruction (obedience – instantly and completely), Saul keep the king of the Amalekites as a war trophy, and kept some nice animals for himself and his soldiers. When confronted by Samuel, Saul lied through his teeth, telling hogwash stories – about keeping the animals for sacrifice to God – it is amazing how somehow we find a godly meaning to our disobedience.

When confronted, Saul acknowledge his disobedience but did not repent (which includes apology), even after being told that the Spirit of god has left him, he was more interested in being seen with Samuel (appearance) than God’s indwelling. Compare Saul with David, when confronted with his sin, did not care about appearance – tore his clothe and poured ashes on himself in public (signifying repentance) and begged God not to take His Spirit from him (David).

Throughout scripture we see examples of people sinning and God giving the individual or the group opportunity to repent. Abraham pleaded for Sodom and Gomorrah – but not enough people repented and pleaded for mercy. Jonah warned Nineveh of their sin, their king repented, called for a fast and God spared Nineveh.

In the NT, we see the story of Ananias and Saphirra, the husband and wife who lied and did not repent when confronted and both died immediately (that had to happen for the early church not to mess with the Holy Spirit – my opinion). In modern history, we read of empires with vast powers, whose empire became rubbles or a shadow of itself when the sinned against God. Rome and England in modern time come to mind.

There are many of you reading this write-up and you have a hidden sin that is eating you alive, and you want it out, but you are so afraid of what it would do to your reputation or whoever you think you are – that was the problem with Saul (the king). My recommendation would be that you be like David, who could care less about appearance – either in dancing before God (breaking human/kingdom protocol) or in displaying open repentance (Lord, i’m sorry, forgive and I won’t do that again) as required under the law of Moses.

America is the one nation on earth that everyone come for Freedom, yet we inoculate ourselves from the immorality and idolatry of the land in the name of Politics? We speak about economics (welfare, justice,etc) like God has ever judged a (any) nation based economics, not immorality and idolatry.

The thing about God’s grace is that it is sufficient when we REPENT, like the people of Nineveh did. So, Lord, in our individual lives and as a nation, break us enough to confess hidden sin, so that we might have a close relationship with you (dwell in your presence). Don’t judge us according to our sin but according to your loving kindness and PLEASE do not take you Spirit from us. In Jesus name. Amen.