Our previous meditations on Samson have hopefully encouraged us to give some thought as to why we often find it hard to live a distinct and different Christian life. Under a Nazarite vow, Samson was obligated to live a disciplined life that was evidenced by his appearance, abstinence from wine and strong drink and avoidance of corruption.
Those of us who are Christians are also called upon to live a separated life. Disappointingly, like Samson, we often fall short. We considered last week some of the reasons why this might be so. This week we will seek to add to the list.
- Perhaps we are guilty of looking on the separated Christian life as a ‘part-time’ exercise, rather than a ‘full-time’ one. There are times when we are impressed by the spiritual heights Samson reached; however, like ourselves, he wasn’t consistent and often fell short of the required commitment.
- The moment a person becomes a Christian, through faith in Jesus Christ, they are called to a life of full-time separation and devotion to Him. Where do you and I stand in relation to this high standard? The story is told of a young man who had been a Christian for a month and was given only a short time to live. He was sad that he had so little time left to serve Jesus Christ. He said, ‘I am not afraid to die. Jesus saves me now! But must I go and meet Him empty handed?’ The story prompted a journalist and Christian preacher, Charles Luther (1847-1924), to write a hymn in 1878 based on the young man’s sentiments. It has challenged countless numbers of Christians since and it provides a suitable challenge to us in the context of our meditations this week:
Must I go and empty handed? Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at His feet?
Must I go and empty handed? Must I meet my Saviour so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him, must I empty handed go?