WHO WANTS TO BE DIFFERENT?

Jan and I are definitely different without even trying. We stumble over the simplest phrases and sentences in Vietnamese. We don't look like Vietnamese. We naturally have some different food preferences. Sometimes being different here is OK, and sometimes we wish we could perfectly imitate the Vietnamese and just "blend in".
The desire to "blend in" plagued the ancient Jewish people for centuries. They wanted to become just like the people groups around them. In spite of his great patience, God finally allowed the ten tribes of Israel to be conquered and deported. They ceased to exist as a nation. I guess it was the ultimate "blend in".
Why? Here are summary words as to "the why": "They worshipped other gods and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them. --- They imitated the nations around them although the Lord had ordered them: "Do not do as they do." (II KIngs 17:7 - 15)
Chosen to be in special relationship with God, they were expected to be unique. But instead of rejoicing in their "differentness", they felt a strong attraction to the gods of other nations and the lifestyle of these neighbours. God gave them guidelines and commands that would set them apart as His people, but they wanted to imitate the other nations and enjoy what they seemed to enjoy.
Followers of Jesus today are called to be unique, to be like Jesus; to be like our heavenly Father. Yet surveys and personal observation indicate that we Christians, in lifestyle and values, tend to "imitate the nations around us" more than we imitate Christ. We have rightly rejected legalism and an emphasis on outward appearances. But enjoying grace and spiritual freedom, we too often use that freedom to indulge our desire for everything but God and His character.
The gods of career success, self fulfillment, financial security, sex, entertainment and materialism are very popular and very seductive. They don't seem as directly opposed to Christ as the worship of Baal or Buddha. But they can be just as crippling to our spiritual health.
Are we doing better than ancient Israel in response to God's call to "come out from them and be separate"? (II Corinthians 6:17) We are expected to be different.