As Christians, we are set apart. We are here as ambassadors recruiting people to become citizens of heaven. We are supposed to be different. So why do we often desire to live like those we are sent to recruit?

Israel, the first people group to be set apart,  had God as their leader, their ruler; and He did a pretty good job, much better than the gods of other nations. He parted the sea, brought water from the rocks, swarmed the camp with meat, and dropped fresh manna every morning. He caused their enemies to be defeated by much smaller armies than themselves and even to destroy their own people, as long as the Israelites would listen to Him and do as He instructed. But that wasn’t enough for them. They wanted what all of their neighbors had. They wanted their God and everyone else’s. They wanted a human king like all of the neighbors. 

“All of the leaders of Is’ra’el gathered themselves together, approached Sh’mu’el in Ramah and said to him, ‘Look, you have grown old, and your sons are not following your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.’” (1 Samuel 8:4-5) God instructed Samuel to warn them what it would be like to have a human king but they insisted so God gave them their desire. How often do we behave the same way? God says, “Follow My instructions and I will provide all you need.” But, we look at the neighbors and say, “I want what they have. I want to do the things they do.” 

We are told that God’s plan is perfect and we may even believe it, but what we see with our eyes may draw us away. Proverbs 4:23-27 instructs us; “Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences. Keep crooked speech out of your mouth, banish deceit from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze on what lies in front of you. Level the path for your feet, let all your ways be properly prepared; then deviate neither right nor left; keep your foot far from evil.” 

Our goal is to turn others, not to be turned ourselves. We are here to recruit, not to blend in. A true Christian must walk, talk, think, and act differently from the world. We are not here to be loved but to love others into the kingdom. How are you doing with that?