Distinctly Christian

Read: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.              2 Corinthians 6:17

     According to the Great Commission, our job as Christians, is to go into the world to win souls for Jesus Christ. There are many ways we can accomplish that task, such as preaching the gospel and personally talking to individuals about Christ, just to name two. An often overlooked, but equally important, aspect of winning souls to Christ is winning them through the way that you live. When the way you live does not represent Christ, you send a confusing message to the unsaved who are watching you. Let me give you a couple examples. Suppose a fellow soldier of yours came walking up to your post wearing the uniform of the enemy. You may recognize him as your friend, but you would also be ready to shoot, just in case he had switched sides. You would be confused when he came up to talk to you as if nothing was different. Or, what if one of your basketball teammates came into the gym wearing the jersey of the other team? You would know him as your teammate, but you would be confused as to why he was trying to play on your team while being dressed like the opponent.

     As it relates to Christianity, we separate from the world and keep our lives clean so others can see the difference Christ has made in our lives. As they notice that difference, they will want what we have and be led to Christ. When we are no different from the world, our message to them is confusing. If we dress like the world dresses, talk like the world talks, play the music the world plays, watch the same filthy programs and movies the world watches, and act like the world acts, then what would make them want to change? If there is no difference between us and them and us, then there is nothing to draw them to Christ or Christianity.

     Will there be times that you get laughed at for being different? Probably. Will there be times when you get shunned for taking a stand? Most definitely. Is it going to be worth it all when we stand before Christ some day? Absolutely!

     Soldiers wear the uniform of their countries to show they are distinctly from those countries. Basketball players wear their team’s jersey because they are distinctly on that team. Christians should talk, look, and act like Christians because they are distinctly on the Lord’s side. When we begin to completely act like Christians, we can better fulfill the Lord’s command to share the gospel with every creature.

Quote of the day: “Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God.”