“Some are frightened into a little religiousness in their straits and deep necessities, but it is poor work and superficial work. They are like an ice in thawing weather, soft at top and hard at bottom.” They melt, but to no very great extent. It is upon the surface only that they yield to heavenly influences. This is a sorry state of things, for it generally ends in a harder frost than before, and the bonds of cold indifference bind the very soul. Let those in whom there are any meltings of holy feeling take heed, for their danger lies in being content with a partial subjection to gracious influences. Grace will be all or nothing: the ice must all melt, and the soul must flow like a riverse Jesus did not come to create temporary and partial religious feeling, but to make new creatures of us. He will have nothing to do with those Ephraimites who are as half-done cakes, which are black on one side with too much baking, but have never been turned so as to feel the fire on the other side. The centre of the heart must feel the warmth of Divine love, or nothing is done. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
Saul’s excuse for disobedience
Saul makes three excuses for his disobedience, but they all shift the responsibility for his sin. Observe:
1. Saul’s excuses are identical with those urged by sinners today: “I intended to give some of it to God.” “I was over persuaded. I was overborne by the influence of others.” “I did not sin wickedly and willfully.” “it was only a mistake under a good motive.”
2. Saul confesses the flimsiness of his excuses. Some time or other we must all come face to face with ourselves and stop making excuses, and cry, “Pardon my sin”
3. Saul confessed too late. Our sins reach their bounds and meet their penalty.
4. Saul repented only because he feared punishment.
5. Every man should make at once an honest self-examination.
6. When convicted of sin, we should without delay confess our sin. (Homiletic Review.)
