CALLED TO BE DIFFERENT

Victor M. Eskew

 

          Many passages of Scripture teach God’s children to be different from the world.  “And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2).  “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance;  but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Pet. 1:13-14).  “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Pet. 4:2). 

          Yes, we have been called to be different.  The word “different” is defined as:  “not alike in character or quality, distinct in nature.”  Different does not mean “weird.”  It does not mean that we portray ourselves with the attitude that we are holier than others.  But, when we live differently than the world, the world will take note.  In fact, they will often think that we are strange because we do not live like they do.  Peter affirms this in 1 Peter 4:4.  He writes:  “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.”  The world is surprised, shocked, and astonished by the manner of life we live.  To the world, the Christian life is novel, that is, unusual.  Many in the world have never seen the type of life Christians live.  Thus, they often mock us or speak evil of us because of the godly conversation we manifest before them.

          There are many places wherein we are different from the world.  The following is a list of some of the things we do that make us different.

 

Modest dress (1 Tim. 2:9-10)

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest attire, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

 

Pure speech (Eph. 4:29; Col. 3:8)

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers…But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

 

Patience in trials (Rom. 12:12; 2 Thess. 1:4)

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.

 

Content with our possessions (1 Tim. 6:8; Heb. 13:5)

And having food and raiment, let us be therewith be content…Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have…

 

Going the second mile (Matt. 5:39-42)

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil:  but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away.

 

High priorities (Matt. 6:33)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

Godly pleasures (Rom. 13:13-14; Tit. 2:12)

Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying:  but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof…Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

 

Having a code of conduct (Phil. 1:27; 3:16)

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

 

A hopeful view of death (Phil. 1:23; Rev. 14:13)

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better…And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:  Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

 

This list could go one for several pages.  God wants us to live like His Son Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:21; 2:20).  Those who do it are easily recognized by the world.  Again, they are surprised, astonished, and look on in wonder.  They might also wonder what it is that motivates us to live in such a way.  Peter provides that answer in 2 Peter 1:4.  “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  God’s great and precious promises are the key.  They help fuel the Christian’s transformation that causes him to be different from the world.  Our differences may be strange to the world, but they will certainly be worth it in the world to come.  Dear readers, keep being different!