Avoid Seeking Sameness

Scripture: So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have.” 1 Samuel 8:4-5

Observation: The end of verse 5 summarizes all the issues for Israel ... they seek to be "the same as all the other nations". They repeat this desire more than once. By their actions in worshiping other gods, by their desire for a king, and by their rejection of the sacrificial practices given to them in the wilderness, they have assimilated and become a people just like all others.

This, of course, is exactly the opposite of the covenant with God. They were to be a separate people. Israel was to be an example to other nations of what it meant to worship the one true God, and visibly receive God's blessing as a result of that uniqueness and dedication. This moment is the true turning point in that vision. As God himself says, the people have rejected God as their king. They desire to be exactly like their neighbors, not just in their personal practices, but in their national structure, government operations, and military posture.

Application: In my mind, this relates to our dinner conversation last night ... the degree to which Christians can and should be treated the same as other religions. The idea of political correctness and tolerance is nice. However, we are to be different. We do understand that there is an absolute truth. We have a mission to tell others about that truth. These ideas mean that we are different - and sometimes distrusted - by others.

Yes, we fail when we act judgmental. It is one thing to tell others about the good news of Jesus. It is another to judge them against teachings they don't know or believe. It is also wrong to assume they do not have a free-will choice to reject the truth. They have that choice, no matter how much it may trouble us, and we cannot treat them as if they must 'comply'.

Like the Jews, we are to be different. Seeking to be the same - and thus treated the same - is a manner of rejecting God.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be different today. I do not wish to spend my day appearing like others, but rather I would like to be different in manner and word. May I be salt and light, humble and merciful, with truth but not judgment. Amen.