Title: Unbelief like faith (1 Samuel 15:17)
unbelief like faith
1 Samuel 15:17-23
As society becomes unstable and the so-called world becomes difficult to live in, various social phenomena arise. Violent crimes such as kidnapping and killing young children occur, and reckless events such as a minority dissatisfied with society set fire to harm other people's property often occur. These are heartbreaking events that can be seen even in Korea until recently. However, while there are some obvious things, it is the fact that there are many people who do not hesitate to do things that offend their consciences where one of the dark currents of modern society cannot be seen. That's actually more terrifying. One of them is called Pharaoh. This means it's fake. The imitation of a fake that looks real is called imitation. It is a crime of conscience.
So this society is getting more and more distrustful. I can't believe it. What should I do if I can't trust things or people? The problem, however, is that it does not end at a certain point, and it becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish the real from the fake. It's not a common problem, as fakes that look real are more plausible and recognized than the real ones.
So, even if you go into a store and buy something, the American asks, “How much money do you have to pay to buy that product?” And the British ask, “How tough is that thing?”, the French ask “Is it trendy or not?”, and the Japanese ask “How much profit do you make if you sell this product?” However, Koreans first ask “Is this product fake or real?” and then negotiate the price. what kind of disgrace is this? Living in a world where fakes like the real thing are the norm, our mind is neurosis.
But, everyone, how about the faiths living in a world where fakes that look like the real thing are the norm? It is sad that there are fake beliefs that look like real ones in the world of faith. Imagine there are many false beliefs among us, such as untruths like truth, lies like truth, pride like humility, self-greed like devotion, especially disobedience like obedience. How sad is that? The problem we need to consider seriously today is the fact that unbelief, such as faith, in which we seem to obey God's word, but actually disobey, is taking place among us without our knowledge.
Today we need to take these words into account. Are you living a life like Saul and living proudly with false faith like Saul? Have you been disobeying and living your life shamelessly, thinking that it is obedience? You'll have to look into it. And if we realize the form of unbelief, such as faith, hidden within us, I hope that we can immediately repent and stand before God anew.
His excuses are found in verses 20 and 21, and it is the third form of unbelief like Saul's faith. That's the look of responsibility. That there is a person responsible for this case. Who are you, not you? In verse 21, while still claiming that it was for a sacrifice to God, Saul cleverly emphasizes, “Only the people…” There is a separate person in charge of this case. make excuses. How childish is that? Guys, no matter what happens, make no excuses. What I've done I need to be able to take responsibility and go further and repent. If Saul had acknowledged his greed and repented, he might not have been forsaken by God and expelled from the throne.
Dear saints!
No matter how many fakes that look like the real ones live in the world, even our beliefs should not be fakes like the real ones. It should not be disobedience like obedience. [Dietrich Bonhoeffer] once said, “One obedience is better than a hundred sermons.” I hope that you will live the life of a believer like a believer with obedience like obedience, truth like truth, and devotion like devotion.