King Saul committed no big sin but only disobeyed a small part of the instructions received from God and he was removed from his throne by God. What had happened? Because he did not ask for forgiveness but tried to put the blame on the followers who suggested him something different. This is what was happening from the time Adam and Eve disobeyed. But the Lord God considered that a big offence.
“So 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 heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.”” 1 Samuel 15:22-23(NKJV)
God considers rebellion as witchcraft and stubbornness as idolatry! Whoever is thinking these things nowadays. Rebellion and stubbornness are norm among people small to great alike. They think this is their right to be so and no one has anything to do with them. But Saul was rejected as King by God for behaving like that.
King David did really big offences even in the human standards. He committed adultery and murder just to get another man’s wife. God was displeased and sent Nathan the prophet to point out his sins, David repented and asked for God’s forgiveness. God forgave him and accepted him even though his sins were greater than King Saul’s. God considered David as the desire of His Heart. David was the first human being who really took a definite difference in coming closer relationship with God by accepting his faults. Yet the consequences of his sins followed him.
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” Galatians 5:13-15(NKJV)
We need to be very careful in our thoughts, words and deeds by constantly making sure there is no sin dominating us. Whenever something creeping up we should condemn it to go. When you start encouraging you will end up sinning big without control. As the above words describe we should not tear each other down but build each other up in the Body of Christ.
“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”” 1 Peter 4:1-2;6-8(NKJV)