The book of Judges is characterized by the phrase, ‘there was no king, everyone did what was right in their own eyes’. (Judges 21:25) It was much like today’s society and what we see happening in the news. In this context, for the believer, even though they do not lose their salvation, there could be a moment that is extremely sad. That moment is when God departs. Normally, a believer’s life is wonderful due to God’s salvation. There is nothing greater than being saved, being a child of God, being a precious person to God. Samson too was a hero blessed by God, the strongest man in the world with many victories, yet in a tragic moment, the Holy Spirit had departed.
The purpose of this message is found in 2 Corinthians 13:5 ‘Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith, examine yourselves!’ The COVID-19 has forced many believers and churches to evaluate their theology and their actions. Do we really know the Lord is with us?
After an angel of the Lord visited Samson’s parents and told them that they would have a son who would be a Nazirite, Samson was born supernaturally. Like Samson, our spiritual birth is supernatural (Romans 8:29-30). Also, a Christian’s life is supernatural and we rely on God’s word as our supernatural food (Matthew 4:4). Like Samson, though his life was supernatural and filled with supernatural feats, he didn’t realize the Lord had departed and was defeated. This could happen to the believer as well. So how did this happen to Samson?
- He abused sound doctrine: We know many wonderful truths from the Bible, yet do we apply them rightly or at all in our lives?
- He was self-sufficient: We take too much credit for our past accomplishments, instead of realizing that it is by God’s grace. The call to Christianity is self-denial, not self-reliance. (Matthew 16:24)
- He undermined sin: Delilah’s words proved too strong and Samson laid his head on her lap. Samson misunderstood the power of sin and gave in. Christians must not underestimate or trivialize sin. If we do, then Jesus is no longer a Savior we desperately need but a housekeeper that cleans up our mess. Sin is not harmless. (Romans 5:12-13;8:22-23)
- Sin blinds the person to the truth
- Sin deafens the person to the gospel message
- Numbers 32:33 Sin will find you out because sin is not against Satan, but against God and will ultimately result in death and hell.
The most important issue to the believer is whether God is with you or departed. God’s departure is not the loss of salvation (just as Samson’s hair grew again). However, God’s departure has to do with our service to Him. To serve God is exciting and a privilege. By God’s grace, we are chosen to serve God even though we are not capable. Sadly many Christians serve ineffectively without God’s presence. They become useless.
Even though God chose Samson, He left Samson. Samson was set apart as a Nazirite, he was not to drink wine, touch a dead body or cut his hair. Holy by definition means ‘set apart’ or ‘distinct’. God’s chief and pervasive attribute is holy. God’s love is a holy love, his wisdom is holy wisdom. As God is holy (distinctive), we are to be holy like Him, apart from sin and the world. Walking with God is holiness just as Noah walked with God. Walking with God leaves no room for sin but instead meditating on God’s word and bearing the fruit of obedience. (Psalm 1) Holiness is the believers’ power. If you cannot see God, you cannot live before God. Holiness is our fellowship with God.
Just because a believer is called to be holy does not mean that they are perfect. By justification, their standing before God in judgment is perfect, but in daily leaving, they are being sanctified. Christ is their master and they hate sin. Being holy means they are growing in sanctification.
Lastly, there is the keyword here, ‘however’. God came back to Samson. Samson repented, believed and practiced his faith by sacrificing himself. This is the pattern of salvation in a believer. This is how God saves a sinner and is with them again. Throughout the whole Bible, it says, ‘The Lord was with…’ Let’s examine ourselves and repent for our sin. Our desire is the Lord to be with us.
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