What Makes Us Acceptable to God?

When I was a teenager, the body building champion Charles Atlas was a prime example of what was purported to be a “real man”. So many teenage boys and young men bought his book, which gave directions on how to achieve that awesome goal. For many young men, that goal still exists.

Being strong and healthy and one who will put his life on the line to rescue someone in trouble has always captured the imagination of others. Saul, the first king of Israel, fit the outward description of a real man. He was tall and strong, handsome and intelligent, and a brave warrior.

However, God rejected him and withdrew his blessing and protection because Saul’s behaviors and decisions were in conflict with God. A real man loves God with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength. His desire is to live for God and serve him to the best of his ability.

God honors such a man and will bless him all the days of his life.  

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Jesus told the people who had faith in him, “If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

~John 8:31-32 Contemporary English Version

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What Is the Reward for Turning from a Resentful Attitude?

No emotional cutting edge is sharper than resentment, for it becomes a consuming passion. This truth was acted out by Saul, the king of Israel, as he permitted jealousy to be transformed into resentment. Saul knew God’s prophet Samuel had anointed David to be the next king and that David was also the people’s choice.

Saul could have accepted God’s choice of David to succeed him, for God’s choice is always superior to our own. Jealousy and fear overcame Saul, which prevented him from trusting David as a loyal servant and loving him as God’s choice. Saul preferred resentment rather than trusting God’s choice.

Saul could have chosen to mentor David in statesmanship, but he let resentment cancel that out. Resentment works against believing that God is the source of forgiveness. Remember, peace is God’s reward for letting go of a resentful attitude. God will give you courage and faith to emotionally turn resentment over to him. 

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Dear brothers [and sisters], if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong.

~Galatians 6:1 The Living Bible

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Distorted Reality

Jealousy distorts the way we think, feel and believe. When David killed Goliath, Saul the king appointed him to a high position in the army. As David continued to prove himself in battle and the people began to sing his praises, Saul believed David was after his kingdom. Prompted by jealousy, Saul tried to kill him on several occasions.

As Saul’s thinking patterns became distorted by jealousy, David became his enemy instead of a faithful servant who loved and honored him. Resentment allied with jealousy made it possible for the king’s mind to distort just about everything in his world. Resentment is closely related to fear, and fear adds fuel to the fire of jealousy.

Saul failed to understand that he could be loved and respected on his own merits. Galatians 5:22 encourages us to permit the Holy Spirit to diminish the impact of jealousy. The Holy Spirit's power produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Why not yield to that power now?  

Self-Respect Missing? Check Your Lifestyle - Part 3

The nation of Israel wanted a king so they could be like other countries. God chose for this position Saul, a young man thirty years old. Samuel, the last judge to rule Israel, was designated to anoint Saul as king. However, on the day of his coronation Saul hid himself from Samuel and the people. You could say Saul was reluctant a king.

Saul is described as handsome and taller than the average man, so he was someone the people could literally look up to. He showed leadership in organizing an army and rallying the nation to defend itself against an enemy. Saul did develop courage and proved himself in battle early on.

Perhaps Saul’s need for approval overruled good judgement and consequently cost him God’s approval. As his self-respect diminished, confidence in God, himself and the Hebrew people also faded. Saul’s story illustrates that self-respect must be protected by listening to God’s voice above all others and faithfully following his instructions for your life.