Tuesday, 02 December 2008
-
Sadly, Christians Have Chosen to Be Like Everyone Else
Guest post by lifeofdory
I've been called many things... and most of them usually center on "weird" or "odd." The only times I've ever been called "cool" have been by un-cool little kids who think that it's cool when grown-ups act silly in front of large groups of people.
I don't mind being weird. God's people are "set-apart;" as a Christ-follower, I am called to be peculiar in the world. What does that look like? I'm still figuring that out. I began experimenting with non-conformity in the sixth grade. Inspired by one of my favorite characters for tween girls, I decided to intentionally wear really absurd outfits to school. One such outfit included purple leggings, a red thermal-knit shirt, bib-overall shorts, and a brightly colored scarf depicting a giant parrot. A lot of people comment on my clothing. Most told me it was ugly or that it didn't go together. I simply replied, "You only think that" or something equally scathing and disarming.
I have since given up being strange for its own sake. But I still desire to be peculiar for Jesus. In the early days of the church, believers formed little enclaves of strangeness. They lived their lives in stark contrast to the world around them. People quit their jobs as soldiers and guards when they accept the gospel of Christ. People sold everything they owned. This was very odd in the militaristic, materialistic Roman Empire.
Then something happened. Rome adopted Christianity. It became "mainstream" to be a Christian, and the little peculiarities disappeared (except in places like monasteries, abbeys, and convents). The gospel lost some of its power because it wasn't preached in a way that offered something different from the world. Christians were in the military. Believers were carrying swords, accumulating wealth, and living individualistic lives.
The peculiarity of living a Christ-like life exists in little pockets of an otherwise imperialistic Christianity. And I've found that this strange way of life can make some other Christians uncomfortable. In American Christianity's attempt to be relevant, it too has abandoned its call to be peculiar. Too many churches offer the same thing as the world, just in a different "Jesus wrapper." Churches support war and tell you how to build your best life now, instead of announcing that Jesus calls us out of empire into a unique relationship with those around us. Somehow, we've decided that ballot measures and praise bands are more important that genuine interactions with hurting people in need of something different than the world can offer.
Do you consider yourself to stand out, or be set apart, as a Christ-follower?
RecommendRelated Posts
Post a Comment
- Back to revelife's Revelife Site!
- Note: your comment will appear in revelife's local time zone: GMT -05:00 (Eastern Standard - US, Canada)
Comments (61)
Absolutely! Try being the only Christian within your family. Imagine the persecution and trials one has to face, when your own family disapprove of your faith.
Not everyone can be monks/nuns, even though they've really tried that in placed like Laos...
Anyway, I think that there are always going to be the people who choose to live their religion separately & peculiarly and those who need to live with everyone else. If you want learn/practice certain professions, you will have to live normally with everyone else, and I think that's fine. Not everyone is called to be separate from other people by being peculiar for God. I don't know if you do comparative religious study, but the arguments between the Zen and Pure Land Buddhists on this subject are very interesting.
I want to be who God created me to be. If that makes me stand out sometimes, that's fine. If no one notices me, that's fine, too. The Bible says that people will know we are Christians by our love. Love is the thing that should distinguish us.
Interesting post.
I think I stand out to other Christians by my attitute....nothing I necessarily say or do maybe, but by the things I DON'T say....swear words for example, gossiping about other people, etc. I'm not trying to say I'm so good for acting that way, it's just that by doing what I would consider "nothing" (acting normal for myself), I have had people comment that I am different.
I don't try to stand out by wearing stange things or stuff like that....but yes, I would consider how I think and act, at times, "different" than the world.
@Stephanie_J_B@xanga - Very true-sometimes what we don't do or say makes us stand out without even meaning to.
1 Peter 2:9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
We are called to be a separate people. That doesn't mean we are any better, just means when people see us, they should be able to see that we are an extension of Him, :)
I've been called many things..."Christian" is one of the nicer ones, however, lol, :)
@yet_still_learning@xanga - You go, girl! It takes a LOT to be able to stand for Him but your family disapproves/disagrees. May God bless you richly in Spirit for your endeavors to serve Him, :)
I think what sets me apart from others is the morals and beliefs that I carry. Most Christians are trying to be open and completely accepting to those who live in sin. What I mean by that is...We have "Christians" who think homosexuality is okay and even condone it. They say that Jesus, God loves and forgives everyone. While this is true (in a round about way) the only way for Salvation is though asking for repentance and changing.
Some Christians like to say, "Everyone falls short, so it's impossible not to sin." while we are weak, God gave us free will. Choice. We can and do have the strength to walk away from a life of sin. It's such a deception to live in! Of course, Satan doesn't want us to think we can control and decide things for ourselves! I think our Churches need to be strong in God's word, and less into trying to be politically correct for everyone.
Yes, Jesus loved and hung out with the sinners. He told Mary Magdelene to go and sin no more. He never said, "Your sin is excuseable, you can't help it. You are forgiven."
And then, there are the Christians who say, "We can't judge". No, we do not have the power to condemn, but I think God wants us to stand apart and tell people of his word.
What's amazing is...I had a self proclaimed "christian" tell me that no one can know God or what he thinks! (we were discussing homosexuality) and he even went as far to say that homosexuals couldn't change who they were. That it was like telling a redhead they were bleached blonde! I highly doubt this person has ever picked up the Bible for themselves. He believes you can find God by looking within yourself. What?
Anyway, just a bit of a rant. It's a subject that's been on my heart since yesterday.
@yet_still_learning@xanga - Christians are actually being persecuted everyday in almost everything occurring in society. For example, the sexual undertones of the culture should stun us, but instead we do not say anything about them. There is no cable and Internet in my home. Another example would be the secular humanist message that having faith yourself is enough (self-esteem is against the Christian message). Instead, Christians should have Christ-esteem. Of course, many who claim to be Christians have problems with the notion of concentrating one's life totally on Christ and forgetting oneself, but this is exactly what Jesus did, being obedient and dedicated to the Father, even to death on the cross. This surrender of the self is what He models to us. Do you have Christ-esteem?
@JUSTAVAPORHERE@xanga - @Christenstein@xanga - Thank you for these messages. Very encouraging.
@yet_still_learning@xanga - :)
@yet_still_learning@xanga - i hear ya. very hard.
@Celtic_haven@xanga - What do you think the "Christian" who states that "we cannot know God or what He thinks" is really telling you?
If a person were able to find God by looking within themselves, then there is no need for God's revelation through His Word Written and Word Incarnate.
I sense that the Holy Spirit may be leading you in regards to this person.
@Pickwick12@xanga - excellent point
@Celtic_haven@xanga - That it was like telling a redhead they were bleached blonde!
Oh how funny..never heard that one before, but I love it, :)
I thank God for the moments during these posts that put a smile on my face. Thank you "Celtic" :)
@Christenstein@xanga - Christ esteem....never thought of it that way! =)
Gosh, I've got to get a grip, lol. I am getting addicted to these posts, rofl. It shows in my job, am getting behind, lol. I just never realized I had an opinion on everything, rofl. I'm going to have to have an addiction class of some sort, rofl!
Why is it necessary to stand out again?
I think we are called to be separate and that we are called to love the people around us. In America it's easy to live a comfortable life and to compromise our christian standards for the world's standards ...
@xobeautyrushox@xanga - For one, the Bible states clearly that we are not part of this world, but are in the world. It states that we are light and salt to the world. If we are to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and do it effectively as light and salt, we must stand out to the world - the light on the hill shines and should not be covered up and hidden.
@xobeautyrushox@xanga - So that we are known to be of the "light," not of the darkness. Have to be careful, however, because some interpret that as being above, holier than though, better than, and that simply should NOT be the case, :)
@Christenstein@xanga - I was thinking of the light on the hill scripture myself, the city hidden scripture, :) That speaks volume.! I love it! Thanks for mentioning that!
@Christenstein@xanga - So in this world where Christianity is the dominant religion, why again, do you feel the need to feel special?
@JUSTAVAPORHERE@xanga - So you give a statement that pretty much says that you're supposedly better than a non Christian but you're saying that shouldn't be the case. Which is it?
@xobeautyrushox@xanga - I have NO idea what you are talking about. I have never to my knowledge said I was better than a homosexual and never would. In fact, I have a friend who is a homosexual and I treat him no different that I would you or anyone else. But I do not agree with the lifestyle of homosexuality and I never will. That doesn't say I have to hate homosexuals.