As believers in Christ, We Are Called To Be Different, to live our lives in a way that reflects the teachings of Jesus and stands out from the world around us. Being different as a Christian is essential because it helps us to stay focused on God’s purpose for our lives and brings glory to Him.
This topic is as relevant today as it was in biblical times, as we continue to face challenges that can test our faith and commitment to Christ.
In this post, we will explore what it means to be different as a Christian and the biblical perspective on the call to be different. We’ll dive into specific scriptures that speak to this topic and offer practical ways to incorporate Christian values into our daily lives.
Our hope is that this post will encourage and inspire you to live a life that is different and brings glory to God.
📚 Must Read: If you want to understand how to live a life that is different as a Christian in today’s secular culture, I highly recommend reading: Faithfully Different by Natasha Crain. This insightful book provides practical insights and biblical wisdom that will inspire and challenge you to embrace your calling to be different.
I. Understanding the call to be different
As Christians, we are called to be different from the world around us. This means that our thoughts, actions, and attitudes should reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ. Being different as a Christian starts with a renewed mind, which is the foundation for discerning God’s will and purpose for our lives.
The biblical basis for being different is rooted in scriptures such as Romans 12:2, which urges us not to conform to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Additionally, in 1 Peter 2:9, we are called a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” This means that we are set apart for a specific purpose, and our lives should reflect this calling.
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in empowering us to be different as Christians. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples that they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon them, and they will be His witnesses. This power enables us to live in a way that is pleasing to God and be a testimony to His goodness and grace.
II. Scriptures on being different
When it comes to being different as a Christian, there are several scriptures that offer guidance and wisdom. Let’s take a closer look at some of these verses and how they can be applied to our lives.
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells His followers to let their light shine before others, so that they may see their good works and glorify their Father in heaven. This verse speaks to the importance of being different and living in a way that reflects the goodness and love of God.
Similarly, in Romans 12:2, we are urged not to conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This verse emphasizes the importance of having a renewed mind and living in a way that is different from the world.
Ephesians 5:8 also speaks to the call to be different as Christians. It says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” This verse reminds us that we are no longer in darkness but have been called to live as children of light.
Memorizing these scriptures related to being different is crucial because it helps us to keep God’s word in our hearts and minds. As we meditate on these verses, they can provide guidance and strength to live a life that reflects Christ’s teachings.
III. The call to be different Bible study
In some circumstances of our life, looking around us, we cannot identify with those around us and that makes us want to be different from others.
There are other reasons why we would like to be different.
You have yours.
Although it may seem unexpected, the Bible occupies an important part of its subject, teaching us how to be different.
I would like to invite you to read with me a small fragment from the Bible.
We will extract a fundamental idea related to today’s topic:
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!
The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
| 1 John 3:1
Most Christians know this text.
We know it because we love the beautiful truth and the sublime grace that it expresses in the part that says, “Notice what great love the Father has given us, that we be called children of God!”
Today, as I was reading it, I was struck by the other part of the text.
The one that says, “The world doesn’t know us, precisely because it didn’t know him.”
After some thought, I understood the key to being different from others.
I wondered, how much does the world know me?
That is, how similar I am to the world as a system of values opposed to God’s values.
How similar is my behavior, tastes, hobbies, aspirations, etc.
To be truly different from others, to be different from the world, we need to become like Jesus.
And there I found the key to making a difference.
The goal of being a Christian is to aspire to the highest possible ideal of personal development: being like Jesus.
To be a Christian means to be different, in the best sense of the word.
However, when I examine my life, I see that I still have to look so much more like the Lord.
That is, I am not yet entirely different from most of the world, but I can achieve it with God’s help.
Now, what if we longed to be more like Jesus?
Be more loving, more patient, more humble, more kind, be more helpful, be more tolerant, be more empathetic, be more generous, less selfish, not be proud, not be vain, etc.
That’s what I mean when I speak about aspiring for the development of the greatest personal potential.
That’s what I mean when I talk about being different.
And I think it’s the same thing the Bible tries to communicate.
To be like Jesus involves walking with Him, looking at Him, imitating Him.
With His help, do not conform to the customs of this world, love God more, serve Him more, love more those who need Him, deny ourselves.
Let go of what prevents us from being closer to God.
It is always a good time to ask ourselves where we are in that process of maturity of our spiritual life.
If we are not yet very different from others, we are not like Jesus, but like the world, let us continue asking the Lord to advance his work in our hearts.
May we become more like Him and look less like the majority.
IV. Practical ways to be different
Living a life that is different as a Christian can be challenging, but it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. Here are some practical ways to be different and incorporate Christian values into daily life:
- Prioritize prayer and Bible study: Setting aside time to pray and read the Bible daily can help us to stay grounded in God’s word and will. This can also help us to discern His purpose for our lives and stay focused on Him.
- Cultivate relationships that reflect Christ’s love: Building relationships with others is an essential part of being a Christian. We should strive to be loving, forgiving, and compassionate, even in difficult situations.
- Live with integrity: Honesty and integrity should be the foundation of our daily lives. We must be truthful and trustworthy in our interactions with others.
- Serve others: Jesus calls us to serve others, and this is an important aspect of being different as a Christian. Whether it’s volunteering in the community, helping a neighbor, or supporting a friend, serving others can reflect Christ’s love and kindness.
- Stand up for what is right: As Christians, we are called to stand up for what is right, even if it goes against popular opinion. This can include speaking out against injustice, defending the vulnerable, and advocating for those in need.
Incorporating these values into different areas of life can also help us to be different as Christians. Whether it’s in the workplace, with our families, or in the community, we can strive to live a life that reflects Christ’s teachings. For example, we can be honest in our dealings with coworkers, be kind and patient with our family members, and seek ways to serve our community.
V. Conclusion
Being different as a Christian is not just a suggestion, but it is a commandment from God. As we’ve discussed in this post, the biblical basis for being different is clear, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that reflects Christ’s teachings.
To summarize, we’ve covered what it means to be different as a Christian, specific scriptures related to being different, and practical ways to live a life that is different. It’s important to remember that this is not something we can do on our own, but we need the help of the Holy Spirit to truly live a life that is different.
As readers, we are called to take action and apply what we’ve learned to our daily lives. This means prioritizing prayer and Bible study, cultivating loving relationships, living with integrity, serving others, and standing up for what is right. We can be the light in the world and make a positive difference in our communities by living a life that is different.
In closing, I encourage you to stay focused on God’s will and purpose for your life, and trust in the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you. Let us all strive to live a life that is different and bring glory to God through our words and actions.
What do you think? Why would you like to be different from others? Share in the comments.
