Passion but not obedience

God loves people that are passionate about him.  But for us to have passion is not enough.  God also requires our obedience.

And that’s what David learned here.  David was really excited about bringing the ark of the covenant back to Jerusalem where the tabernacle was.

According to David, it was neglected during Saul’s reign (1 Chronicles 13:3), and David didn’t want to make the same mistake.  He really wanted God to be at the center of his kingdom.

And so they as they bringing the ark to Jerusalem, David and all the people were celebrating “with all their might,” playing all kinds of musical instruments, singing, and probably dancing as they did so.

But there was a problem.  God had commanded that when the ark was moved, only the Levites were to do the moving.  They were to put poles through the rings at the top of the ark, and carry it on their shoulders.

But David didn’t do this.  Why, I don’t know.  At a guess, he was just ignorant.  He probably thought, “Well, the easiest way to move it is on a cart, so I’ll have a new one made, and put the ark on it.”

But as the ark was being moved, one of the oxen stumbled, and one of the men, Uzzah, reached out to steady the ark.  But in touching the ark, he violated God’s command and was killed.

When David saw this, he became angry with God.  But later he realized the problem.  While he had been very passionate for God, he had also been disobedient. 

He said in 1 Chronicles 15:13,

It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.

David learned an important lesson that day.  Passion is great.  But it must come with obedience. 

It’s not enough to just have passion.  We must be obedient to the things that God has commanded.

Sometimes, people wonder, “Why is Jesus the only way to heaven.  There are many sincere people out there trying to do the right thing.  There are many people who are passionate in their pursuit of God, and not all of them are Christians. 

“Why do Christians insist that they won’t go to heaven?”

The answer is that sincerity of heart and passion are not enough.  You can be totally sincere, and completely passionate.  But if you don’t obey God, it’s not enough. 

What is God’s command?  The apostle John tells us.

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.  Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them.  (1 John 3:23-24)

The most important command that God has given us is to believe in the name of his Son.  To trust in him for his salvation.  And if we reject that command, then all our sincerity and passion won’t mean a thing.

Obedience without passion for God is not a good thing.  God wants our hearts, not just our actions. 

But passion without obedience is also not good.  Because a lack of obedience shows a lack of trust.  And like I said, God wants our hearts.  Trust is a big part of that.

How about you?   Do you have passion without obedience?  Obedience without passion?  Or do you have both?