For the purpose of this post, I am going to replace an Old Testament character’s name with Frank. FRANK was a simple fella, belonging to a well to do family, but ol’ FRANK had some dramatic situations in his life. As we read though a couple of his stories, try to exercise balanced discernment in the quesitons I offer.
Now let’s consider the life of FRANK.
Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon FRANK, and FRANK will prophesy with some Bible thumpers and be turned into another man. When FRANK turned his back to leave his friend, God gave FRANK another heart. A group of Bible thumpers met him, and the Spirit of God rushed upon FRANK, and FRANK prophesied among them.
Young FRANK
Now if this story was told in your congregation by a credible, reliable witness, would your judgement be that FRANK had an honest experience with God, even that Frank had come to know the Lord, and was delivered from his life of sin? Is that a conclusion you might come to?
Go ahead and say it – I couldn’t hear you!
I understand the argument that this description may be appropriate in describing a man being called into service and not necessarily salvation. That is possible, but is it an absolute?
By that I mean, this experience of FRANK, if it had happened in the Old Testament, say in the days before King David, might it be construed as being simply a call to service. If that is a correct understanding, the principle of conditionality is still demonstrated. Continued service that is conditional upon some decisions or acts of the believer or servant is possibly the intent of this story.
Possibly.
On the other hand, if this was a true to life salvation experience, FRANK has become a vessel of the Spirit of the Lord, and has shown proof of his new life in the prophecies he has uttered.
Your decision on how to understand FRANKS situation is left to your judgement. You can leave me a comment if you please.
Older FRANK
Time passes, and life happens. Difficult decisions are made and complications arise. It comes about that FRANK experiences the loss of the Spirit of God in his life.
Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from FRANK, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.
At this point, how would you describe FRANK’s condition? Backslidden? Possibly. Temporary situation? Possibly.
No matter how we slice it, FRANK’s condition is troubling, yes a very troubling situation!
Elderly Frank
OK, so for years now, FRANK has been without the Spirit, no longer experiencing the comforting presence of God, but increasing being controlled by anger, depression, rage, jealousy and fear.
Is there any hope for FRANK? This is another time you can chime in with your thoughts!
It turns out that an old friend comes by to talk with FRANK, and is known as a reliable witness for FRANK. This friend informs him that FRANK has not merely lost the Spirit of God as a comforter and guide, but that the Lord God has become his enemy!
And a Bible thumper said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you FRANK and become your enemy?
This transformation from a young FRANK to our elderly FRANK is shocking, and of course by now, it is impossible to not recognize FRANK as King Saul. It was a fairly obvious dupe on my part, for I am sure that many recognized the story. Hopefully it helped to remove a bit of prejudice we may have against poor ol’ Saul in our general opinion of his life.
Nevertheless, how do you understand the life of Saul? Did he merely loose the opportunity to serve the Lord, or was he a believer that apostatized, willfully walking away from the mercy of God?
I look forward to your thoughts. And try to be earnest with me. (But don’t be FRANK!)
For those who would like to refer to the Bible passages not butchered by my edits, the following verses were referred to.
- Young FRANK
- 1 Samuel 10:6, 9-10
- Older FRANK
- 1 Samuel 16:14
- Elderly FRANK
- 1 Samuel 28:16
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