| Flawed But Not Fatally - article by Joel Hempel
In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Scott described Samson as one who “played by his own rules,” who “used his gift for his selfish desires,” and was “like a superhero without a moral compass.” Then, a few minutes later, pastor asked if we had any of Samson in us. The Samson I heard about in Sunday school as a young boy is not the Samson pastor described. No! I don’t want to claim the characteristics of this Samson! This Samson was deeply flawed. As judge and leader of Israel, this Samson believed he could do whatever he wanted – including murder – and get away with it. This Samson was ruthless, a womanizer, and foolish. In the next-to-the-last chapter of his life, he succumbed to his enemies and spent his final years in prison grinding grain like an ox. No! I don’t want to claim the characteristics of this Samson! The painful truth is, however, that we are all flawed, some more deeply than others. Who among us would want our lives put under a microscope? Who among us would like the complete truth revealed – the truth hidden away in our homes and our minds? But before we become too hard on ourselves, let’s take another look at Samson. We are repeatedly told in Scripture (Judges 14-16) that this Samson had the “Spirit of the Lord upon him,” and as a result exhibited unrivaled strength, and then repeatedly defeated and finally decapitated the leadership of the oppressive enemy nation. Yes, there is some of Samson in all of us – which is why we can be grateful for it. Look where Samson makes a cameo appearance: In the Book of Hebrews! Samson is listed among the heroes of faith. “Samson…who through faith…was made strong out of weakness” (Heb.11:32-34). Although none of us are listed in Scripture among the heroes and heroines of faith, we could be, for we are all what Luther called "saint and sinner" alike. Consider this: The Spirit of the Lord is upon each of us. God's Spirit came upon us in baptism or when by grace, we received the gift of salvation. Of course, we struggle – daily – with our flawed selves wanting to take control. And too often, our sainted self caves in to our sinful self. But God, in his mercy, is forgiving. What’s more, is that we know something Samson didn't know. We know Jesus. More importantly, Jesus knows us. He knows our limitations as well as our strengths and loves us anyway. He loves us and empowers us daily to do as pastor encouraged: Live the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). | 
