Like All the Nations

It’s a familiar story and a familiar truth, but one worth hearing again.

In 1 Samuel 8 the elders of Israel who had been judging the people of Israel came to Samuel and said,
“appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” (v. 5)

When this happened, Samuel was grieved and went to the LORD and prayed.  The LORD told Samuel to obey what they have asked because, 
“they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.” (v. 7)

They were not satisfied with having The LORD as their King.  They wanted to look like the other nations and have a man as their king.  They were concerned with looking and acting like the other nations.

How much does the church (universal) look and act like the world, instead of just being content with having The LORD as our King?

How much do you look and act like the world, instead of just being content with having The LORD as your King?

This is so convicting.  
I can think of countless ways I compromise the joy and pleasure of having Jesus as my King and look to be just like the world. Far too many times I desire the world’s ways and perceived fun over the real joy to be found in our King Jesus.

We are called to be in the world; serving, loving and telling them the Gospel.
However, we are not to look like the world and reject JESUS as our King.