Hello darlings! I feel moved to write a slightly controversial post today, so be prepared. Don’t stop reading here, please at least read it, you may need to hear it.
Lately, I have witnessed two extremes on each side of the spectrum amongst Christians. One group has become far too worldly to the point that even if they have truly been saved, you couldn’t tell by the way they live. The other side is that some Christians have basically trapped themselves and live in a bubble, never venturing out to socialise with non-Christians. Both of these are not healthy one bit.
If someone has truly been changed and has new life in Christ, their desires change too. Yes, sinful nature is still present. But that doesn’t mean we make allowances for them to be worldly. Yes, we all go through seasons of being on fire for the Lord, and then next we feel shut off and distant from Him. The difference is one is a season, the other is leading others down the wrong path. If we live just like anybody else, how could the unsaved ever be able to tell us apart? We are called to be different. We cannot go with the majority. We cannot be of the world, we are simply in the world. Be careful before labeling yourself. Society today is SO used to labels that even if they fight it, they just make up more labels. Think about it, we are ‘organised’ for lack of a better term by the way we look, the way we talk, the country we live in, what clothes we wear, etc. It’s so easy to get caught up in things. Personally, I cannot stand politics, but to put things clearly I will use this example. If there are things you agree with amongst the left, that does not mean you should 100% define yourself by those standards. Likewise, if you agree more with the right, don’t define yourself or your beliefs by that. There is bad on both sides that we cannot afford to be labeled by. I’m not saying that you should be straight down the middle with politics, vote for the person who best displays Biblical standards, even if they are not Christian themselves. You can’t base your morals on what the world says is right or wrong. You HAVE to base your morals on the Bible. If you do not, you are a hypocrite, and chance to lead someone down the wrong road. I know this sounds harsh, but this has to be understood. Don’t be afraid to be different. Live boldly! Peter calls people out in his second letter. ‘For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is blind—shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins.’ - 2 Peter 1:5-9 AMP
The other side of the spectrum is the bubble that Christians are placing themselves in. I see it so much that Christians are living each day in one environment. They have no unsaved friends or even acquaintances. They are not keeping up with what goes on in the world. They have shut themselves off from the rest of the world. Don’t take me the wrong way, there is hardly anything better than being in a society of fellow believers, we build each other up and grow together. But if the only people you see on a daily basis are Christians, you aren’t living the way God has called His people to live. Jesus says in Matthew 28:19-20, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age’ AMP. Paul encourages Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-2 to do this same thing. ‘I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching’ AMP. Christians are called to spread the Good News! I don’t know how much more I can stress this, but if you want to shut yourself off from the rest of the world and have nothing to do with unbelievers, you are a hypocrite too! We have been charged with a special task to be the farmers, the sowers of the Word. It doesn’t mean every one of us is called to be a missionary in a foreign country, but evangelism can take place where ever you go! You can’t be sheltered, and if you have children, you can’t shelter them either. You have to be aware of things happening outside of your community. You have to know how to interact with the unbelievers of today. If you go to the store, skip the self-checkout area, have patience and grace, and tell the cashier about Jesus. It’s not always easy, but you will know how to navigate the conversation. A simple ‘do you know Jesus’ is sometimes all it takes. But you can’t avoid unbelievers. Jesus socialised with the people who were marginalised or neglected, the lepers, the adulterers, the murders, the thieves. You can’t expect to be a Christian and never talk to anyone other than another Christian. It’s not sinful to talk to someone deep in the depths of sin. In fact, it will grow you in your faith to evangelise!
I hope you see that being a Christian means that you will be different no matter where you go or whom you socialise with. But you can’t live on the extremes. You’ve got to be balanced. You’ve got to be aware. Don’t be worldly, but don’t live in a bubble. Don’t be difficult to tell apart from the rest of the world, don’t lack the ability to live in the world either.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to leave them below!
'So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.' - 1 Corinthians 10:31
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