There is a story in the Bible about a man named Samson who had incredible strength. (See Judges 14-16)
So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me where your great strength lies, and how you might be bound, that one could subdue you.” (Judges 16:6 ESV)
Samson’s strength was God-given, but it was also conditional. In order to remain strong he had to keep what was known as the “Nazirite vow.” He could not eat certain things, expose himself to certain things, or allow his hair to be cut. While the specific “dos and don’ts” may seem trivial to us, the outward sacrifices he made were a testament of his consecration to God. Anyone who spent time with him could tell that he was a Nazirite, not only because of how he looked, but because of how he lived. If he chose to disregard his call to live differently, his strength would be no greater than anyone else’s. (See Judges 16:17)
In a way, God has called all of us to keep this “Nazirite vow” in that He wants us to be wholly given to him. We are called to look, to act, and to live our lives “differently” than the rest of the world. Not so that we will appear special (Samson probably looked unkempt) or so that others will view us as “holier” but so that we can know our Savior intimately and, as a result, draw super-natural love, joy, peace, and strength from Him. Like Samson, if we choose to ignore God’s call to be “Christ-like,” we too will lose our God-given strength.
The Gospel is not just about forgiveness from sin; it’s about newness of life. Jesus Christ shed His blood so that we could “die to sin and live to righteousness.” (1 Peter 2:24) But in order to partake of this “new life” we must first surrender ourselves to Christ, allow Him to begin changing us (from the inside out) and to empower us live differently. We can’t do what Samson did and forsake our calling. If we do, we will find ourselves surrounded by “enemies” (temptations, sins) without the strength to overcome them.
While for us it is not about keeping a list of “dos and don’ts,” the principle message of Samson’s life is still the same: “Separation”—in body, mind, and spirit—to God is essential in order to live out the Christian life. Without it we are no different than anyone else—regardless of what we say we “believe.” A willingness to obey God’s call (no matter what it is) is the only way to obtain the fullness of life Christ purchased for us.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light . . . Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:9 and 11)
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1)
God will give us the grace to live this way—all we have to do is trust Him for it. He’s already committed to give us the power; the question is whether we will commit to Him.
