DIFFERENT

This morning as I was reading through my scripture reading and a verse punched me in the face? Does that every happen to you? I was reading the passage of scripture that went along with my devotional and BAM!!! this verse for some reason (the Holy Spirit) jumped out at me. I love it when God does that. Here’s the verse…

'Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, 

says the Lord.   2 Corinthians 6:17

It really got me thinking about us as Christians.  What is different in our lives that separates us from unbelievers? How does my life look different than those that do not follow Christ? It’s really something that got me thinking this morning.  I want to be different from the world. I want to stand out like a light pointing people to Jesus. I think sometimes we as Christ followers are too adaptive to the culture around us.  

I know this will step on some toes but as your pastor I have to tell you the truth based on Scripture and God’s Word. We are living in times where we think loving people means accepting their sins.  It does not.  It means loving them regardless of their sin.  It means accepting them as a person that God created with equal value and realizing that God died for them just as He did for you.  It’s the old saying love the sinner, hate the sin.  No we do not condone or accept their sins but we love them as Christ does knowing that when they come to Christ the Holy Spirit will conform them to the image of God.  

It is not my job to conform sinners to God’s image.  It is the work of the Holy Spirit that does that.  We bring them to Jesus and Jesus cleans the sinner up. I get so angry when I see posts accusing Christians of not loving certain people groups.  Number one because that’s a generalization and number two because out of all the people in the world Christians should be the most loving people.  Why? Because Christ in us compels us to love everyone even those who are not like us. Yes their lifestyle is sinful, but so is mine sometimes.

Please do not think this is a “political post”.  This is a Biblical post. This isn’t about immigration or the boarder.  This isn’t about homosexuality or black lives matter.  This is about the truth in Scripture that says we are to be different.  I encourage you as I am encouraging myself.  Look in the mirror and compare yourself to those unbelievers. Do you and I look different? If you have been saved and called by Christ…you are to be different! We are to be Christ to those around us.  Just some things to ponder!