Being Different
Scripture – 1 Peter 4:1-4: Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because one who has suffered in his or her body is done with sin. As a result, such a person will not live the rest of their earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
Observation – Jesus said, “For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.” (John 3:20) People often get a little nervous around me when they find out I’m a minister. For some reason they feel a need to watch their language or their behavior. For Christians in the workplace or at school, it’s often different. People tend to give Christians in those settings a hard time – at least for a while. It’s because “they think it strange” that we don’t “plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation.” Because the light of Christ in us reveals what’s missing in them, they try to turn the light off. For in a dark room, I can’t see what needs to be cleaned. Part of my witness is to lovingly keep living as a child of light. To accept abuse, sarcasm, whatever testing may come. And to love people as Christ loves me – knowing that light not only shows what’s wrong, it also reveals the One who can make it right.
Application – I will live faithfully today. I will not give in to temptations to deny Christ by doing things He would not. I will maintain humility in that. For I know my salvation is based on what He’s done for me, and I am no better than anyone else.
Prayer – Give me a humble, loving heart today, Lord. Help me live faithfully as one filled with your light. Thank you so much for what you’ve done. May someone see you through me this day.
Observation – Jesus said, “For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.” (John 3:20) People often get a little nervous around me when they find out I’m a minister. For some reason they feel a need to watch their language or their behavior. For Christians in the workplace or at school, it’s often different. People tend to give Christians in those settings a hard time – at least for a while. It’s because “they think it strange” that we don’t “plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation.” Because the light of Christ in us reveals what’s missing in them, they try to turn the light off. For in a dark room, I can’t see what needs to be cleaned. Part of my witness is to lovingly keep living as a child of light. To accept abuse, sarcasm, whatever testing may come. And to love people as Christ loves me – knowing that light not only shows what’s wrong, it also reveals the One who can make it right.
Application – I will live faithfully today. I will not give in to temptations to deny Christ by doing things He would not. I will maintain humility in that. For I know my salvation is based on what He’s done for me, and I am no better than anyone else.
Prayer – Give me a humble, loving heart today, Lord. Help me live faithfully as one filled with your light. Thank you so much for what you’ve done. May someone see you through me this day.
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