When I first heard in Mr. Starke’s 7th grade Bible class that we are called to be a peculiar people, it set a small spark inside of me. I admit that I have struggled with worrying about what others think of me (sometimes I still do), but I have always held in the back of my mind that I am supposed to be different. God is so creative, He gave us all a unique personality, quirky character traits, and our own personal sense of self, largely determined by those things that surround us in life. We are all different. Sometimes, I have confused my peculiarities that are God ordained with those I picked up naturally from my environment.
For instance, I was not taught how to wash clothes until I was leaving for college. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to know, my mom was just very picky about how the clothes were washed. However, because of the timing, I too became very particular about how my clothes were washed; more so than my mom. All my towels have to be folded a certain way. They and my wash rags must all face the same direction. In college, it had gotten to the point that they were color coated, but I gave that up after I was married. There are some people in my life that this quirk absolutely drives mad. “It’s just a towel,” someone said. But to me, it is more than that. To me, having everything neatly laundered is having a spirit of excellence. I live by the motto that there is a place for everything. I work from home, so my primary objective is to keep the house smelling fresh and looking clean. I almost find an identity in my housework; it is a source of pride for me.
While you may not all have a border line obsession with keeping the house clean, you have those eccentricities that may "you" uniquely "you". No one else can have your you-ness. It’s really alright that we don’t follow a crowd or stereo-type! The fact is, not everyone is going to love you and your quirks. In the same way, we can expect resistance as Christians for having a “peculiar” standard of living. And if I may be so bold, that’s how you know you’re living your life according to the Word. I am in no way implying that we should purposefully become hated by acting like a crazy lunatic; but people will be offended, if you live according to the Word, by your Christianity. I am grateful to live in a country that is considered a Christian nation. However, having morals is becoming increasing met with opposition. It is considered offensive if my opinion is different that what is becoming the new "norm". People who do not agree with me scream at me to be tolerant, while they have no tolerance for my opinion. It seems the Bible and the principles of Christianity are offensive.
While I make no apologies for my opinions, I can see that in a day and age where the motto is “Do what you want to do as long as it doesn’t offend me,” people can think taking a moral stance for or against anything is baffling. I mean, who bases their beliefs and opinions on anything other than selfish gain anymore? Doesn’t it make more sense to live your life the way you want to as opposed to following an ancient set of standards that have governed civilization for thousands of years? It may seem like a hard pill to swallow, but Christians will not be liked by everyone; we never have been. And when it becomes all too easy to be offended that some people refuse to like us based on our personal beliefs, consider the death of our Savior on the cross. Jesus was crucified, a sinners death, because He met the same opposition we face today. The Word of God tells us that in the end times, we will be pitted against each other. Brother against brother, sister against sister, daughter against mother- when we have a heart change such as Christ offers, and we agree to start standing on principles we may have never had before, we will offend some people.
With that said, we are called to love on people- despite how they treat us. How’s that for offensive? We need to lay down our pride, and realize Christianity is completely about servant-hood. It is our duty as Christians to show people the love of Christ. I will not mention specifics but there is a controversy going on in the fast food industry. I would challenge you that if you happen to see that particular controversy going on around you, to choose love. LOVE people, no matter what, with the same love Christ lavishes on you. Buy them a meal, refuse to be offended, show someone the love of God instead of just talking about it. Sit down and have a conversation with people instead of bashing and hating and destroying them. This is an awesome opportunity to show people the REAL love of God, something many may have never seen. Choose to be different. Choose to be set apart. Love simply for the fact that you are loved. Refuse to let offense turn you away from the opportunity to minister the Gospel to some body!
Prayer:
Gracious Father.
Thank You for lavishing Your love on me. Help me Father to love people the way You do. God, help me to see people through Your eyes. God, we all have worth. We all have a purpose and a destiny for our lives. We are all called to live with the same passion for people Christ did. God, cause us to conform to Your mold, even if it hurts our pride and selfishness. And Lord, give me the opportunity to minister to some body that is hurt and broken. Help me to have a gentle spirit and to not be offended when people don’t love me just because I follow You. Lord, You are God of all. You are still in control.
In Jesus Name, Amen.
Scripture References:
1st Peter 2:9 (KJV)
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:
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
1 Corinthians 13 (NKJV)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Galatians 5:11 (NKJV)
And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
But He turned and said to Peter, Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.
Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.
Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
Romans 14:13 (NKJV)
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brothers way.
Matthew 24:10 (NKJV)
And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
Isaiah 8:14 (NKJV)
He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel , As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends.
Love LIFE (LoveIsForEver):
Instead of talking about your hunny today, I am going to challenge you. Remember that we are called to love and care for the broken and down-hearted. We are supposed to be a light in a dark world. Love is not easy. I don’t care what every love song in the world says. Love is tough and hard and sometimes dirty and unkempt. Please please please use the current controversies facing Christianity to LOVE people the way Jesus does. In scripture, He did not tolerate sin. But I’m pretty sure He never bombed anyone in His Father’s name, or shouted abusive, offensive words because some one was not living according to the moral standard. We are not called to be wimpy Christians. There is an obvious battle between good and evil going on. But for too many years, we have gone about things in a wrong and hurtful manner. Love doesn’t necessarily mean being a push over, but it isn’t selfish either. The definition of selfishness is not sharing the love of God.
Song Reference:
Courageous by Casting Crowns
Choose to be courageous by standing up for your beliefs and values. Don’t back down because it isn’t popular. I think Casting Crowns does an excellent job of getting the point across in this song.
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