By meditating upon the Old Testament character of Samson, we have been considering some of the reasons as to why we often find it so hard to live a Christian life that is distinct and different.

Maybe we find it more comfortable to believe that living such a life is only for a selected few. It is important to remember that taking the vow of Nazariteship was open to any in Israel (male or female), who were exercised. Sadly, it was pursued only by the minority; therefore, they became a selective and special class, which was never God’s desire. The ‘separated’ life should be the desire of ALL Christians today, not just a special class of people!

Maybe I do not wish to be seen as ‘different’. In the Old Testament it was clear that a person, including Samson, was a Nazarite – he differed in his appearance (long hair – no razor was to come upon his head); they practiced total abstinence, e.g., from wine and strong drink – they did not depend on earthly stimulation or seek earthy joy – their activities were spiritual; they avoided all defilement and corruption, e.g., dead bodies. All of these things have an application to those of us who claim to be Christians today – there ought to be a distinctiveness about our appearance, actions and desire not to be defiled by the evil and corruption in the world. Samson struggled with all of these facets of the Nazarite vow. His, and also our, constant ‘battle’ with the forces of nature are best summed up in the words of another:

‘To be SEPARATE is to be DIFFERENT; TO LIVE AMONG PEOPLE, yet to be DISTINCT from them; to GET CLOSE to them, without BEING IDENTIFIED with them in aims, habits, partnerships or fellowships.’

To be continued next week…