1 Samuel 12:20-21 ESV
And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. 23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. 24Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. 25 But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king."
Right away in verse 20 we have what seems to me (on first glance) to be a contradiction:
"Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil.
Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.”
They have already sinned (by asking for a king in the place of God), ‘yet do not turn aside…’. Haven’t they already turned aside? Haven’t they already stopped serving the Lord with all their heart? The answer is obviously ‘yes’ they have, but more is happening here. God’s people sin; but when God’s people sin and turn back to Him, repenting, hating their sin, longing to be free of their sin, this shows a heart that desires God’s grace and mercy and love. This is the kind of heart that God saves.
21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.
The ‘empty’ in this verse is the same word that is translated ‘formless’ in Genesis 1:2. Some things are empty they are worthless. The NIV translates this assuming Samuel is talking about idols (which he may in fact be talking about), yet there is more that is empty in this world than mere idols.
The author of Hebrews mentions this fact:
Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Not everything that hinders your walk with Christ is necessarily sin; some things are just not profitable, they don’t help you. Instead of allowing these hindrances, these empty things that cannot profit or deliver, Paul makes a concerted effort to subdue these influences so they do not interfere with his walk with Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Don’t allow yourself to think that you can skate through the Christian life; it is a matter of strict discipline: with Grace!
Here’s where our passage is significant. Was Paul afraid to sin? You betcha (hi Doug and Evie in the Great White North!)! But was he aware of Grace? You’d better believe it!
Romans 5:1-2 ESV
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
It was this grace that Samuel was alluding to: ‘you have sinned, but don’t turn aside from the Lord’. You can sin, but God offers you a way back. Only grace; only the gift of declared righteousness; only the undeserved gift of God can make Christianity possible! There is only grace in the end for those who are in Christ Jesus!
Romans 8:1-2 ESV
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Trust in this grace while you are running the race. Beat your body so that you won’t stumble; but when you stumble trust in the remarkable, saving grace of our amazing God.
1 John 2:1 ESV
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Thank You Father that You made a way for me to be saved by grace through faith.
Thank You Son that You provided that propitiation for my sin.
Thank You Spirit that You work in me to do and desire the will of God.
Rejoicing in Grace with you,
Pastor Greg
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