Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salvation. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

The Sins and Signs of Saul

 The Sins and Signs of Saul

A Word on Salvation

 


 

 According to Scripture, (1 Samuel 8:1- 1 Sam. 31:13) Saul’s sins were,
1. Not completely destroying everything in an evil city in Israel. He allowed the king and the livestock to live.
2. Not waiting on God’s Man, Samuel to come and do the sacrifice,
3.  And by going to a witch with a familiar spirit for guidance, instead of going to God.

        I have always felt sorry for Saul. It seems like he is judged harshly by God for his sins. He loses the kingship, and he is killed by his enemies along with his son and ultimately his family. (1 Sam. 31:1-13) I look at my own life, and I have done so many things, that it makes me feel as though I have done worse than Saul. So, if God treats Saul this way, how will He treat me?

      
     Now, over the years I have heard preachers use this story of Saul to preach a works based doctrine of salvation, saying that Saul was slain for disobedience, so you better obey too, or you’ll be slain or suffer. I have also heard this text being used to claim that a person can lose their salvation.
      
     But, as I studied Saul’s life, I believe the Lord showed me that this story is actually a picture of all of our salvation experiences, and that Saul never really accepted the Lord. This story is a picture of someone rejecting Christ. Yes, Saul disobeyed, but his disobedience was in specific areas that spell out something bigger. It is not that Saul sinned, we all sin. But, Saul sinned in such a way that it paints a picture, and God uses that picture to show us something.
    
      First, Saul is called by God to be king, not because of anything Saul has done. God Himself chose Saul, after the people called for a king. Likewise God calls us. He calls all humans to come to Him and to have an inheritance, and to rule with him as priest/kings. It’s not because of any good we have done, or any special thing about us. We can accept or we can hide and reject. It can be argued whether Saul really accepted or not. He became king. But, did He accept the Lord? Did he confess God as his King? (1 Sam. 8:1- 10:27)
     
      Second, Saul did not wait on God’s man Samuel to show up to do the sacrifice. He let the world around him dictate what he should do, instead of what he knew to do. So, he did the sacrifice himself. (1 Sam. 13:1-14)
      
     This is a picture of a person who seeks to save themselves instead of letting God’s man Jesus Christ save them. Jesus Christ is the sacrifice that washes away all sin, give it to Him. You cannot do the sacrifice. You cannot save yourself. The fact that you think you can save yourself or help God save you, or rid yourself of sin, is proof that you do not realize how wretched you and I are. Saul did not see the depth of the evil in the people who corrupted the land, and he did not see the reason why he could not do the sacrifice for himself. You do not want to stand before God, doing the sacrifice for yourself.
       
     Next we see that Saul went forth to battle; as king his main job was to remove the evil from the land, especially as it resided in the Canaanite people who lived there before. Their past associations, with demonic entities, and demonic bloodlines utterly corrupted them, and Saul was to totally destroy them, and everything about them. If he left anything it would become a thorn in the side of the people of God. But, Saul did not do it. (1 Sam. 15:1-34)
      
     Likewise, we are to be broken by our own past sin and wickedness in our “land” or lives. We are totally depraved and evil. We are in the camp of the Enemy, and associating with demons. We are to realize this about ourselves, as God reveals it to us. We are to desire to get rid of this within us, even though we do not know the entire depth of our evil. We are to want God to wipe it out and cleanse us. Just like cleansing out the evil in the land. We want all of it gone and killed off. If we try to keep our pet sins, those things will grow up as a thorn in our side, and plague us.
      
     Saul was not totally grieved and totally opposing the enemy in Israel. He did not see how corrupted the Canaanite people were, so he allowed evil to continue. We need to desire for God to cleanse us of all unrighteousness, and remove it all from us. Things we leave behind can get worse and make us worse.  Here is where preachers will preach works. Yes, you need to struggle with the things in your life that is not pleasing to God. He often leaves those things for us to struggle with and grow from, and to keep something worse from coming upon us. But, you must realize that you cannot get rid of Sin yourself. Only He can do that. Only he can kill it all. Give it to Him. Like Paul’s thorn in the side, His grace is sufficient for us. There are things we won’t get rid of, but we must still desire for it all to be gone.
     
      The fourth thing is that Saul went to seek help or instruction, or salvation from something other than God. He sought help from the enemy or demonic entities, not God. (1 Sam. 28:1-25)
     
      Likewise, we humans often seek salvation, help, wisdom, comfort, peace, or anything else from things other than God. If your help comes from anything other than God, then you have rejected Him, and embraced the enemy. I’m not saying that we cannot study many subjects, but it needs to be under God’s guidance, and be looked at through the lens of what He wants us to know to be true. We reject God in many ways in our lives. We sin. We have idols. But, that is not the same as totally rejecting God. Just turn back to Him, and tell Him about it, asking Him to forgive and save you.
     
      So, that’s the bottom line. Saul is a picture of a person who God has called, and even did miracles for, but he never really accepted God. The person never saw how wicked they are, or to have the evil removed from the ‘land” of their life.  He is a picture of someone who sought to solve the problem of sin for himself instead of trusting God, and letting God make the sacrifice through Jesus Christ.
      
     He is a picture of someone who sought salvation everywhere but with God, and found the Enemy and death instead. We must realize how utterly evil we are and throw ourselves on God’s mercy confessing Jesus is the Lord, and letting Him save us. Anything else would be like Saul. (Romans 10:9-10)
     
      I would like to add that Saul is an example of God using His Word to show us layers of truth. Because, while everything I said above is 100% true. It is also true that Saul is a picture of the Anti-Christ to come. It is a picture of what is coming upon the Earth, before the return of Jesus.
      
     First, like Israel in the story, the world will be lawless, and the people will reject God, and desire a King to rule over them. God will let them have their own way, and the King that they elect will be the Anti-Christ. He will be anointed as their savior in times of trouble. He will prophecy, and have a form of godliness, and spirituality, but not from God.
      
     Second, he will stop all efforts to remove evil from the land. He will oppose all that’s good, and make war with the saints, and overcome them. He will let the evil one have his way, and grow.
    
      Third, he will make the sacrifice himself, in the temple of God. He will claim to be God most high.
     
      Finally, he will open himself up to an evil Spirit, which will be Lucifer himself. And he will be destroyed in battle.
      
     These things are coming quickly. Be determined in your work to serve the Lord, and lead people to know Him. Get on fire, and step out. He will be with you.
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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming AddictionHis newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the Author. The Bald Knob Cross of Peace in Southern Illinois.



Monday, October 9, 2023

Samson's Grace

 Samson's Grace

A Word on Faith and Grace


 



Let’s look at Samson. (Judges 13:1-Judges 16:31)  He is one of the Bible characters, whose entire life proves that it is all about God.

      
     Samson was born by promise, and was made a Nazarite at birth. His parents obeyed the Word of the Lord given to them by the angel. Samson did nothing at all. It was all done for him and without his power; much like our salvation. We are called by God, we hear His Word about Jesus Christ, passed down to us through the elders, and we believe, confessing Him as Lord. It’s that simple.
      
     Samson lived a sinful life, yet God was with him. His source of power was not his hair. God was his source of power. His hair is a picture of something that grows, which is not controlled by man, other than the power to cut it off. Faith grows, and God works in our lives, as long as we continue to have faith in Him, despite our sinful actions.
      
     He waged war against the enemies of God who were oppressing the people. Remember, God let the Philistines take over Israel, because of their falling away from God. But, when they turned to God, He raised up Samson to fight their enemies. Samson was sinful, Israel was sinful, and the Philistines were sinful. The difference lies in who turned to and trusted God, and the promises God has made. When we trust God and turn to Him, He is with us no matter what. But, when we turn away from Him, the enemy can take over. This has nothing to do with sinful behavior. It has to do with whether you are turning to God, because only God can fix our sinfulness, and failures. Abiding in Him, leads to growth, like Samson’s hair. It grows and we don’t even notice.
      
     Samson was tricked by Delilah which allowed the Philistines the ability to overcome him. Samson already had Delilah sexually, this was not the first time he had seen her, or been with her, as the story implies. So, sex was not the reason he gave up his secret. He gave up his secret, because he became convinced of his invincibility, and trusted something or someone other than God. His secret is God. His hair is the works God has done for Him and the faith He had in God. Samson gave up the one thing that kept him safe; the one thing that kept Him alive and prospered him. The particulars are irrelevant. Samson stopped trusting God. He stopped abiding in Him.
      
     He was captured and tortured and locked up. Much like Israel, who had lost faith in God, and turned from Him. The enemy was able to overcome him. This led to Samson, and Israel being broken, which led to the crying out to God, which is what we should do when we are being broken. Our pride makes us believe we can do it alone. Pride must be broken. Samson’s hair began to grow back. His faith began to grow in that rock bottom place.
     
      And after he was broken, he cried out to God, and God gave him a tremendous victory. God did not abandon Him. Samson did not lose his salvation. God was always there, waiting for Samson to cry out in faith, and God moved in a mighty way. God fulfilled his own purpose through Samson, which was the destruction of the enemy, and setting His people free. That is God’s purpose always; to defeat the enemy and set us free in Him.
     
      Remember, “ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  So, no matter what, remember that you are called, and abide in Christ. Pray, praise, speak faith, confess your sins to Him, and watch Him work. Follow the Holy Spirit as He guides you, and you will see things moving and happening. Eventually one day you will look up and you will be different, and it will be just like growing hair. It’ll be slow and steady, and without your help. Then, you will see that it was all God. You will see that He loves you, and that everything is Ok, and your faith will grow.
 
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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming AddictionHis newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.  Photo by the Author. A small courtyard near the Capitol Building in Washington D. C.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Photo by the Author. A small courtyard near the Capitol Building in Washington D. C.

Monday, September 11, 2023

Lessons From Eden

 Lessons From Eden

A Lesson on God's Character and Spiritual Truth


 


“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…”  These words begin the Holy Bible and the book of Genesis. There are so many lessons that can be gleaned from the book of creation, but here is a taste of its life giving truth. (Gen.1:1-Gen. 3:24)

1. God is God. He is the Creator and Lord. He knows what’s best. He is not surprised by anything. Everything that comes to us must pass through His hands, good or bad. It all comes by Him. Seek Him to learn why. Pray to Him, ask for Truth and Wisdom. Trust Him and wait for Him to teach you. (Gen. 1:1, John 14:26, Jam. 1:5, Rom. 8:28, Job 1:1-22, 2:1-13, Luke 22:31-32, Prov. 3:5-8)

2. God loves us. He provided for all our needs, and wants a relationship with us. We know this because we desire to seek spiritual things. We seek the divine and justice, in a world where there is none. He calls us. He draws us to Himself. (Gen 1:26-31, Gen. 2:18-25, Gen. 3:8-9, John 3:16, John 6:44)

3. God created us to have a purpose, each of us. We have work to do that God has given us. That work will involve serving others in some way, protecting, taking care of, healing, providing, leading, comforting, helping, and that extends to the environment around us. He places us where we are, and is willing to guide us further if we seek Him, and start working where we are in faith. (Gen. 2:15)

4. God wants our needs met. He provided healthy food, water, and bodies. In the Garden, He gave us peace, love, fruitful procreation and companionship. This is God’s ultimate will for us. Anything other than this is something God does not desire but is the result of this fallen world, our enemy, or choices we’ve made; or a combination of many things. Seek Him. (Gen. 1:27-31, Gen. 2:18, Matt. 6:25-34)

5. God wants us to rule; Not only the world, but our lives through Him; to stand up and fight for good; and to oppose evil. We are to protect the creation with love, and have victorious lives; all of this is done through His guidance. (Gen. 1:28-31, Gen. 2:15, Prov. 3:5-8, Phil. 4:13, Rom. 8:31-39, 1 John 4:4)

6. God gave us freewill, because He loves us and wants us to freely love Him. But, we are fallen, and the Plague of Sin has rushed upon us. It infects us, so that we are filthy and follow evil ways. We are totally corrupted, and are headed for death and eternal separation because of this plague upon us and the choices we have made. (Gen. 1:26-31, Gen.2:15-17, Gen. 3:1-24, Rom. 1:1-32, Rom. 2:9-26, Rev. 20:11-15)

7. God seeks us. He draws us to Himself to be cleansed of the Plague of Sin, and to have a relationship with Him that heals us on all levels. We can choose to listen and turn to Him or turn away. The door is open through Jesus Christ, whose blood washes away the Plague of Sin, and His resurrection brings new life. (Gen. 3:8-9, Gen 3:21, John 6:44, 1 Pet. 2:18-25, Rev. 3:20-22, Eph. 1:3-14, Col. 1:9-20, Rom. 10:9-10)

Just ask God. Seek Him.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming AddictionHis newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public