REAL CHRISTIANS
ARE A STRANGE PEOPLE
Peter, in 1.Pet.4:3-4 tells Christians they have already wasted enough time
serving the devil, participating in the sinful practices of the world. It is
time for them to change their lives and spend the rest of their time (however
much time remains) doing the will of God. But in doing so the world will think
it strangethat you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking
evil of you”
Why is it that living the Christian life is considered to be “strange”
to the world? The people of the world have lived so long in sin and their consciences
have become so desensitized that they have lost all sense of truth and righteousness.
So, when they see Christians no longer practicing the immorality and wickedness
they enjoyed in the past this seems strange to them.
Christians do not think and act like the world around them for they are God’s
own special people 1.Pet.2:9. They have a different allegiance. They now follow,
serve and obey Christ, rather than man Acts 5:29. They follow a different creed
(belief, faith), one that comes from heaven (the New Testament) 1.Thes.2:13,
not the words and traditions of men Mk.7:6-9. They now worship a different God
Jn.4:23-24, whose ways are not those of man Isa.55:8-9. They also have a different
hope for the future Phil.3:20-22; Col.3:1-3. So, they are naturally seen as
different and strange from the rest of the world since they don’t follow
the mainstream of society morally or religiously. They do not let the world
define and set the standards of right and wrong. They have been transformed
into a new life in Christ 2.Cor.5:17; Rom.12:1-2.
Even though the above things are true many who claim to be Christians don’t
want to be thought of as strange. People find it difficult to be different.
When seen from a human standpoint it is not easy to be different. To be different
means you will be in a minority, and human nature doesn’t like that. Generally,
those in the minority are considered outcasts, rebels, unpopular with friends
and neighbors. The human desire is to be able to agree with people and retain
their good will. So when one varies from the norm socially, morally or religiously
he can expect to suffer some unpleasantness. Not being in the mainstream is
not very pleasant because it constantly puts a person on the defensive, always
having to defend what and why one does or does not believe and practice certain
things. Why be different? What would justify people wanting to be different
socially, morally and religiously? Certainly it should not just for the sake
of being different. But these differences come because they involve matters
of truth and error, righteousness and sin, faith and opinion. Truth, righteousness,
and faith are diametrically opposed to error, sin and opinion. Those who have
strong convictions about truth, righteousness and faith will always be unalterably
opposed to error, sin and opinion. The two sides are totally incompatible and
the line between them must be drawn sharply and distinctly 2.Cor.6:14-16; Amos
3:3; Matt.7:13-14.
But, today this line has become blurred because the world has infiltrated the
thinking of many of the members of the Lord’s church. They want to be
recognized as Christians, but don’t want to be considered “strange”
or different from their friends in the denominational world. The religious world
offers convenience, popularity and entertainment to attract and keep members.
They are religious but not overly concerned about being scripturally correct.
They have a form of godliness but deny its power 2.Tim.3:5. So, to keep from
being considered “too strange” some members of the Lord’s
church follow the path of least resistance. They imitate practices that are
popular but cannot be justified by scripture. The use of contemporary music
(spell it entertainment), family life centers, fluff sermons, etc.) may attract
people to the building, and keep the members for being thought strange by the
world, but they are still unscriptural and will keep them out of heaven unless
they change their attitudes.
Preachers are not immune from this problem. Their preaching has contributed
a great deal in blurring the line of separation between the world and the church
with indistinct preaching of “smooth words and flattering speeches”Rom.16:18.
They allow unscriptural practices because they are more concerned with money,
prestige and popularity than preaching the truth that saves. So, they shun to
declare the whole counsel of God. Sin is condoned rather than being condemned
Jer.5:30-31; 2.Tim.4:1-5. Many churches that claim to be of Christ have developed
a country club appearance, offering a cafeteria style religion. Religion becomes
entertainment rather than worship to God Jn.4:23-24. Notice some of the churches
in Rev.2, 3. Whom do we serve? Gal.1:10. The scripture remains true, “And
whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God the Father through Him” Col.3:17.
So, please don’t be afraid of being thought strange by the world. If you
are really a Christians you will be living a life that is radically different
from the rest of the world. Christians are considered strange because they are
different. But they are not being different just for the sake of being different.
They are different because they have been called to a much higher standard.
Jesus taught “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds
the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the
kingdom of heaven” Matt.5:20. They want to be God’s unashamed workmen
2.Tim.2:15. They know God has called them out of the world to be His own people
2.Thes.2:13-14; 2.Cor.6:17-18; 1.Pet.2:9-12; Tit.2:14, called to be holy as
He is holy 1.Pet.1:12-16.
Yes, being thought strange by the
world may bring difficulty in this world but there is the assurance found in
the word of God. Even though we are in the minority here, with God we are really
in the final majority Rom.8:31-39. We are happy in the knowledge that we don’t
differ with God, only with those who oppose Him. By serving God we have unspeakable
joy with the promise of an eternal inheritance 1.Pet.1:4-8. Christians will
be victorious along with Christ Rev.17:14; 1.Cor.15:57.
By Tommy Thornhill via the Etna Enlightener Vol.1, No.2, Feb. 19, 2012
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