Can Christians Coexist In The World And Be Different?

 

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve heard the passage from Paul that says; be all things to all people.

Unfortunately, too many believers have taken that passage and used it to justify their behavior to fit in this world.

The reality is, that we aren’t supposed to separate ourselves from this world, but rather we’re to stand out and be different in world. What do we mean by this?

We like the way theologian Warren Wiersbe puts it…

“Christians should be different, not odd. When you are different you attract people, when you are odd you repel them.” ~ Warren Wiersbe

You see, when you become a believer, you become God’s chosen people. You are no longer to act like the world, but called to be the light in this dark world. We are to be different, attracting others towards God. Instead of separating ourselves (acting odd) and in return, people look at us as being weird and not wanting to be around us.

1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) says; “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”

Although we are chosen people, we must remember; God so loved this world that He gave his only-begotten Son. So that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have life (John 3:16). That means while we are to not be of the world, we are to love those in this world and not separate ourselves.

Simply put, how can we win the world over if we are not around them to make a difference?

Just this past Halloween we took the opportunity to walk out what it means to be different and not odd. You can read about why we do this here.

We don’t celebrate Halloween or trick or treat, and if you do, there is no judgement here. But what we do, is use that day to be the light to the darkness in this world.

We did this by being the lightest house on the block, with Christian music playing in the background, and we handed out bags candy with a church invite. (In the past, we’ve enclosed a scripture inside.)

The response we got from the parents this year was overwhelming. We heard over and over, wow you guys must be believers?

There you go; that is the testimony of us standing out different, but not odd! We didn’t’ turn the lights out and did not answer the door; separating ourselves from the world. No! We let our light so shine among men (Matthew 5:16) that parents, and children wanted to be at our home, where it was non-threatening, and wasn’t scary.

When we shared this on social media, it blessed our heart to hear how another church in California, Fountain Church, did the same thing!

Just imagine if for one day, we all did this. Could you imagine the effect we would have on people in this world?

When we choose to be different, God’s chosen people (holy and set apart) it will actually attract people to us. As it will cause them to want what we have, and that will become our opportunity to share Jesus Christ.

Can you identity areas in your life where you can be different and not odd? Where you can use your lifestyle as an opportunity to share Jesus Christ? Please share them with us in the comment section below so we can encourage each other in our faith.

~ André and Timberley Gray