A Different People

The Church of Jesus Christ has been called out from the world. We are called to be different than the world. The world is following its ruler, Satan, into destruction and death. We follow our ruler, Jesus, into eternal life with God. We are A Different People.

In the Old Testament, God called the Jewish people (Israel) to be A Different People. God placed Israel at the center of the nations so that Israel would declare the glory of God to the nations that were following the false gods of this world, who operate under the authority of Satan.

 God wanted Israel to follow Him instead of the false gods of the nations. But Israel was corrupted by the world and started following the gods of this world. From God’s perspective, Israel became even more wicked than the nations around them.

Ezekiel 5:5-8 (NLT)
5  “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: This is an illustration of what will happen to Jerusalem. I placed her at the center of the nations,
6  but she has rebelled against my regulations and decrees and has been even more wicked than the surrounding nations. She has refused to obey the regulations and decrees I gave her to follow.
7  “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: You people have behaved worse than your neighbors and have refused to obey my decrees and regulations. You have not even lived up to the standards of the nations around you.
8  Therefore, I myself, the Sovereign LORD, am now your enemy. I will punish you publicly while all the nations watch.

In the New Testament, the church received a similar calling from God. The church was called to be the light of the world. The church was supposed to be A Different People, a light holding back the darkness.

The Holy Spirit and the Word of God would make us A Different People. We would not think like the world, and thus we would not act like the world. This difference was supposed to draw the world into the light of God, Jesus. But much of the church, like Israel, has become worldly, following the ways and customs of the dark world.

Romans 12:2 (NLT)
2  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Israel became like the world, and God’s judgment came upon the Chosen People who were called to be different. Do you think God's judgment will hold the church to a similar standard of righteousness? And where does the judgment of God begin?

1 Peter 4:17-18 (NLT)
17  For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?
18  And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”

I believe it's going to become more and more difficult to stand against the ways of this world as we grow closer to the return of Jesus.  But know this: We will never experience God’s perfect will by following the world. Going along with the world will take us farther and farther from the purposes, blessings, and protection of God.

Yes, we are called to be A Different People. That difference may cause suffering and hardship in this life, but glorious wonder in the life to come.

1 Peter 4:19 (NLT)
19  So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Terry Cooper: Lead Pastor