After God\u2019s Spirit left King Saul, his halfhearted obedience had opened him up to Satan\u2019s influence. Soon an evil spirit troubled Saul, and he ended up seeking counsel from a witch (see 1 Samuel 15 and 1 Samuel 28).<\/p>\n
Perhaps as you read the account of Saul\u2019s life, you wonder, \u201cBut Saul tried his best, and he didn\u2019t do that bad of a job. Why was God so severe with him?\u201d<\/p>\n
God is telling us through this passage that he means what he says. He is saying, \u201cI\u2019m showing you how I feel about your obedience to me. I want all your heart, all your love, not just a halfhearted obedience!\u201d<\/p>\n
If the Lord\u2019s message to Saul had been foggy or unclear, we might be justified in saying he should have made an allowance. However, his direction to Saul was clear. There was no doubting what he had commanded. Likewise today, we have no doubt about what God has spoken to us. We know what his commandments are because he has revealed them to us by his Word and his Spirit within our hearts.<\/p>\n
You may answer, \u201cBut what God did to Saul happened under the Old Covenant and the Law. We live in a day of grace now. Surely the Lord won\u2019t be as severe with us when we disobey as he was with Saul.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here is God\u2019s word on the matter under the New Covenant, a covenant of grace: \u201c[God] \u2018will render to each one according to his deeds\u2019: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness\u2014indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God\u201d (Romans 2:6-11, NKJV).<\/em><\/p>\n Let me spell out the difference for you between Saul in the Old Testament and all believers under the New Covenant: Whenever a person truly has a desire to obey God\u2019s commands\u2014when that person loves and respects God\u2019s Word\u2014the Holy Ghost supplies him with all power and ability to fulfill those commands. That is the blessed provision of the New Covenant.<\/p>\n