As Christians, We Should Be Different

Are Christians distinct from nonbelievers in the way we live? 

In Mark 1:17, Jesus invites Simon Peter and Andrew to “Follow Me.” It’s our invitation as well. And when we accept that invitation and become His followers, we are saying we want to live as He lived, to take on His values, to serve Him and His people.

But as I look around, listen in on conversations, and read the news, I’m concerned. It seems that too often, Christians are nearly indistinguishable from nonbelievers. Too often, we seem to justify our words and actions based on worldly standards, not the Lord’s.

Are Christians Distinct?

It compels me to ask you, my readers (for the most part fellow believers), an important question. 

Are the majority of us Christians living much (if any) differently than the rest of the world, or are we stamping ourselves with the badge of Christianity only to have our actions and choices be indistinguishable from nonbelievers?

More specifically: 

Are we watching the same garbage because it’s “not too bad”?

Are we listening to the same lyrics or jokes because “it doesn’t mean I agree” and “it’s just harmless fun”?

Are we engaging in the same activities because “everyone is” and “it’s not hurting anyone”?

Are we saying hurtful and demeaning things because “she has it coming” or “it’ll better get my point across”?

Christianity isn’t simply makeup we apply to look prettier. It involves deep heart change, which should be reflected in our actions and observable to others.

Christianity isn't simply makeup we apply to look prettier. It involves deep heart change, which should be reflected in our actions and observable to others. Share on X

Not Perfect, but Different

Now we all sin and fall short of the Lord’s standards. None of us are or ever will be perfect this side of heaven.

But if we claim to be a Christian, shouldn’t we be different, and shouldn’t that difference be visible to the world?

If we claim to be a Christian, shouldn't we be different, and shouldn't that difference be visible to the world? Share on X

As Christians, shouldn’t we reflect the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), not perfectly, but differently from those around us?

Shouldn’t we exude love, have joy, promote peace, exercise patience, exhibit kindness, represent goodness, retain faithfulness, possess gentleness, and, perhaps the most difficult, maintain self-control to a greater extent than those who don’t follow Christ? 

A New Heart

Through the Prophet Ezekiel, God told the Israelites that He would give them a new heart and put a new spirit in them. He would “remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

I don’t fully understand such a mystery, but through Christ, we receive a “new” heart filled with the Holy Spirit. We are no longer at the whim of our sinful natures but receive the guidance and strength to walk differently … to more closely reflect Jesus Christ in our words and actions.

However, I sometimes wonder:

Are Christians buying into the self-focused, feel-good mantra of our culture?

Are we wearing the badge of Christianity so we feel better about ourselves while continuing to do whatever pleases us?

Did we forget that the Lord set us aside to be different? 

We are not to be “conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2) but are to be a “city on a hill” (Matthew 5:14-16); “a royal priesthood … God’s special possession” to declare the praises of God (1 Peter 2:9), salt and light to the world (Matthew 5:13-16). 

Does that describe how the majority of Christians live? Does that describe me? How about you?

Your Turn

Maybe my questions and concerns are unfounded. Since I’m in the parenting stage of releasing my children to the world (and praying they live out their faith), perhaps I’m too sensitive to this idea and thus seeing it with a skewed perspective. I sincerely hope that is the case. 

If so, consider this a check up of sorts … and a cheerleading session. If not, let’s pray for God to wake up His children, to draw us nearer to to Him, to renew our hearts and minds to conform to His. 

Regardless, let’s ask the Lord to help us live differently. Let’s be better at shining the light of Christ to our dark and dying world. Let’s more clearly reflect Jesus in our words and our actions, not just today, not just when others are looking, but every day of our lives!

Because as Christians, we should be different. 

Let's more clearly reflect Jesus in our words and our actions, not just today, not just when others are looking, but every day of our lives! Because as Christians, we should be different. Share on X

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Reflections: What do you think? Are Christians drifting away from our calling to be salt and light, to be set apart from the world? Are we conforming to this world instead of being transformed by the Spirit?