Getting the Cart Before the Horse A Lesson From Saul

First Things First “Do not put the cart before the horse…” is an old proverb meaning to keep first things first This principle is found in the gospels (Mt. 5:24; Lk. 14:28-31; Jn. 7:51; 8:7) Saul was told to utterly destroy the Amalekites, but instead spared some for sacrifice (1 Sam. 15:22-23; Hos. 6:6; Mk. 12:33)

The Cart Before the Horse Total Depravity – sin before lust and lawlessness (Jas. 1:14; 1 Jn. 3:4; 5:17; Ezek. 18) Infant Baptism – baptism before teaching (Mt. 28:18; Jn. 6:44-45; Acts 18:8) Faith Only – salvation before baptism (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 22:16; Gal. 3:27; 1 Pet. 3:21)

The Cart Before the Horse Once Saved Always Saved – eternal life before the judgment day (Mk. 10:30; Gal. 5:4; 2 Pet. 3:17) Fornication – sexual intimacy before scriptural marriage (Gen. 2:24-25) Leadership – responsibility before opportunity and ability (1 Tim. 3:10; 2 Tim. 2:2)

The Cart Before the Horse Religious Service – the outward service before the inward purity (Mt. 7:1-5; 23:25-26) Reaping Before Sowing – the reward before the work (Gal. 6:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:6; Rev. 14:13)