By Pastor RAUL GRANILLORebellious Conformation.
A primary purpose for all of the laws that God had given the Israelites, through Moses, was to make them distinct from the other people of the world. They were to stand out as the people of God. This distinction was more than just a part of their religion. It was more than culture. It had become a part of their very identity as Jews. It says a lot that they asked Samuel, the prophet, for a king.
Even after Samuel warned the Israelites that having a king would only serve to give them the same problems that the other nations of the world faced, they would not relent.
“But the people refused to listen to Samuel. ‘No!’ they said. ‘We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles’” (1 Samuel 8:19-20 NIV).
The people, whose identity was so tied to distinction, wanted also to conform to the patterns of the world. How common is this, even today?
We all struggle with finding ourselves, seeking what makes us distinct from others. Yet at the same time, it seems, we also struggle with our desire to conform to the world around us. I remember rebelling as a teen because I wanted to be my own person. Yet, ironically, I remember doing so by finding the social group I thought would be best for me. Most of us have done this—sought individuality through conformity with a social group.
I struggled with the tension between individualism and social conformity and learned that our lives often take place amidst this tension. What we need to realize, is that if we are not mindful about the reality of who we are, we will likely find ourselves torn apart trying to satisfy both aspects (See Matthew 6:24). This happened to the Israelites, and it happens every day to regular people.
God had explained to Samuel where the danger laid.
“And the LORD told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king’” (1 Samuel 8:7).
It was God that they were rebelling against. Everyone is created with the specific purpose of being in a sanctified relationship with God. When we reject that purpose, our identity is compromised long before we conform to the patterns of the world. However, if we are mindful to obey God and seek His presence, then we will find that we are able to be authentic to who we are, as well as better suited to relate to others around us.
If we choose to seek individualism outside of a relationship with God, then we will live a life of conformity for the sake of individualism—we will live in hypocrisy. We need to realize that true individualism is not about rebellion; it is about authenticity to whom God created us to be. When we recognize that, and embrace that, we can become a part of the world in a way that is in harmony with our true selves—the people of God.
Are you living in an authentic relationship with God, or do your actions reveal conformity with the world?
Are claiming to serve Jesus, and yet cry out for a king who represents the world? The first will bring life, the latter will enslave it.
To find out more about La Vista Church, or to hear this and other messages, visit our website at www.lavistanaz.org or email me at raul@lavistanaz.org. Follow Pastor Raul on Twitter @RaulGranillo007
Please come join us as we fix our eyes on Jesus. We meet Sundays at 9 a.m. for Sunday school and 10 a.m. for worship. Everyone is welcome!