The rules don’t apply to me.

(Today is National Pardon Day)

And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22

“The rules don’t apply to me.” Really? There is an arrogance within our culture (including Christianity) that some are so talented, so charismatic, so skilled that the rules don’t apply to them…to me, yes, but as to such people, “we can do whatever we wish because we can get away with it…the people will follow…it will work.” Again, I pose the question, “Really?”

Today’s Verse nailed King Saul of Israel to the wall because Saul felt God’s rules did not apply to him. His “winsomeness” attitude became a “losingness” end, because no one can circumvent God’s rules and expect God’s blessings. (Oh, yes, it may still look good on the surface but let’s remember judgment day is yet in the future and we do not know what is actually happening beneath the surface. All that looks good may not actually be good.) The priest Samuel explained God’s reason for rejecting Saul in the next verse: “For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.” Circumventing God’s rules represents an act of rebellion against the Rule-Maker. One writer correctly notes that Samuel equates such rebellion to the horrible sins of paganism and witchcraft. In other words, this attitude is a very serious issue and should not be taken lightly.

The old saying, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” is true for presidents, pastors, church leaders and followers. God sets up safeguards called rules for a purpose. His rules should not be confused with man’s oft convoluted rules but should be recognized as clear principles which lead to spiritual success.

For example, the Ten Commandments form a great foundation for how we are to approach God as well as our fellow man. They are not the Ten Suggestions!

“Reap what you sow” is another rule. Too many people are now reaping bad harvests that cannot be undone due to bad decisions in years past. Please note: Forgiveness does not prevent a bad harvest!

“Without Me you can do nothing” reveals the utter futility of the flesh. To rely upon talent or schooling is futile, too.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” God’s will is more powerful than our own will. Just ask Saul in Today’s Verse. Be submissive to His will.

“Be holy as I am holy.” Too much of today’s Christianity is built around talent. Too little attention is given to a holy character. There is no replacement for holy character.

A very talented, cocky young preacher was booked as a special speaker. He was introduced to the audience as an up and coming star, responded by walking pompously to the pulpit, then proceeded to make a total mess of things. His mind went blank. He stuttered, stammered, groaned, made a fool of himself. Totally defeated he walked out of the pulpit and stepped down to the front pew.

 A sage walked over to him and said, “Sonny, if you had gone up the way you came down, you might have come down the way you went up!”

God help us to walk according to His rules!

Tom Swartzwelder was born again at the age of nine in an old-fashioned revival meeting. Tom received his B.A. from Tennessee Temple University and his M. Div from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored for nearly forty years in both bi-vocational and full-time roles. He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ at http://www.godsgreenhouse.net. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”