A lot of the time, we reach a point where we have to choose between what God wants from us and what we’re willing to give up. I shared a message about this tension in which I showed how our wholehearted surrender, not perfect obedience, is the key that opens the door to our next level of purpose and blessing.
The main idea of the message comes from 1 Samuel 15, where King Saul got clear orders from God through the prophet Samuel to kill all the Amalekites and everything they owned. Instead, Saul only followed some of the rules. He didn’t kill King Agag or the best animals because he thought he could sacrifice them to God later. Saul lost everything because he only obeyed some people. The answer Samuel gave was very deep: “To obey is better than to sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).
This story shows a trend that a lot of believers follow. We often find reasons to only partially obey, holding on to parts of our lives that we value and giving up parts that we think are unimportant or too much of a burden. These places are like the Amalekites, who were related to Esau and sold his birthright for short-term pleasure. They show how our flesh controls our fate. We could miss God’s blessing if we can’t control these fleshly parts, just like Esau missed his prize.
I’d like to talk about three important parts of obedience. First, obedience isn’t just doing what you’re told; it’s also how you feel inside. It means telling God, “I’ll do it because you told me to,” without really understanding what you want to do. Second, full obedience means giving up what we value most, just like Abraham was ready to give up Isaac. Finally, following God’s rules is not a drag; it’s a way to experience his promises, as explained in Deuteronomy 28.
I think the hardest part was what I called “that part”—the exact area of surrender that God wants from all of us. Keep in mind that a lot of Christians get so far on their spiritual journey before they get stuck in one area. It could be a connection for some, or it could be a habit, an attitude, or a goal that we can’t give up.
There are bad results for only partially obeying. I’ve seen people at the end of their lives feel bad about not following God’s clear directions. Saul was still king in the flesh, but he lost his spiritual power. Similarly, we can continue in ministry or Christian service even though the blessing has left us because we disobeyed.
The most powerful thing about this message is that it’s not about rules or being perfect. It’s about how we react to the specific things in our lives that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention. “God doesn’t rush you along, but He will speed you up once you finish a season of obedience,” I want you to understand. Just like Jonah finished a three-day trip in one day after he changed his mind while in the belly of the fish, God can speed up your progress once you give up “that part.”
The call is clear: look at your life to see where you’ve settled for only partial loyalty. What does “that part” mean
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