A married couple filed for candidacy separately in two congressional districts which naturally raised eyebrows considering they’re not known to be separated. Although this was challenged by a concerned citizen, their application was approved and their run was successful. Netizens were disgusted but one posted her opinion, “Okay lang yan basta nakakatulong.” In short, the end justifies the means although it is a bit premature to render a verdict on their performance.

Perhaps in the ways of men, rules can always be bent but not so with God whose rules are as straight and unbending as they come. For Him, it’s all or nothing, or to be more precise, all or everything to lose with an iota of deviation. Think Cain, Saul, and Uzzah. 

• Cain brought a harvest offering to God knowing full well that it wasn’t what was prescribed (Gen. 4:2-7).
• Saul disobeyed specific commands by usurping Samuel’s priestly role (1 Sam. 13:1-13) and keeping trophies of war (1 Sam. 15). He then tried to make it look palatable by pointing to his offering of the booties to God.
• Uzzah touched the untouchable ark and was killed instantly by God who had given strict instructions about it (2 Sam. 6:-7).

If we were to apply the ways of men here, people would say, “So what if it were fruits? At least Cain still brought something to God.”

In the case of Saul, “Such a waste to destroy fat cattle and lambs. At least, he offered them to God.”

As for poor Uzzah. “Just a touch and he was killed by God Himself?! At least, he was there serving!”

And that’s where the problem lies---those two words: “at least.” Cain’s best fruits and Saul’s spoils of war may seem grand in man’s eyes or Uzzah’s intentions may seem sincere but to God, they reek of idolatry because it carries the stench of disobedience which is as evil as worshiping another god (1 Sam. 15: 22-23). And who is this other god? Themselves. When we disobey God for whatever reason, we put our own rules above His, making ourselves not only equal to Him but superior and God has a zero-tolerance policy for it.

 If you think about it, God’s instructions weren’t that difficult to follow:

• Cain just had to offer fat portions.
• All Saul had to do was wait for Samuel to show up and wipe out everything in the war with the Amalekites.
• Uzzah should have treated the ark the respect it deserves.

Instead, Cain disregarded it altogether, Saul made a pick-and-choose, while Uzzah failed to seriously take heed and as a result, they were cursed, dethroned, and killed respectively. This is why we need to know what God wants and how He wants it done. And we won’t accomplish this if we don’t read the Bible or pray for His leading. “At least nagla-like ako ng bible verses sa FB” or “At least nag-a-amen naman ako sa church” won’t do. If we don’t know God’s instructions, sooner or later, we will violate His rules (Judges 2:10ff). And if you need more proof how vile disobedience is to God, remember, Adam and Eve were banished from the garden not because they had killed a person or stolen from their neighbor but because they disobeyed God by eating of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The consequences for our “at least” efforts are always most severe.