1 Peter 1:13–21 (ESV)
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.What makes you different?
We seem to live in a world where people are striving to be different. The ironic thing to me is how often the masses strive to be different in the same direction. The result, of course, is they end up just being the same as each other in a different way. It’s a cyclical goal that seems to become the endeavor of every generation. The goal to be different from the status quo has been the constant pursuit driving the pendulum of change.
We see evidence of this all around us, but right now, I have to laugh how change doesn’t lead to different new but different old. For example, in the realm of fashion, low rise jeans have given way to the return of high-rise, dark colors are being replaced by 80 & 90’s brights. In the realm of commerce, in person shopping is on the decline while direct to consumer delivery is all the rage. The point is, often the pursuit of being different only returns us to more of the same.
You see, there is only one way to be truly different in this world and that is to actually belong to another one altogether. Before you think I’m crazy, remember what we’ve been studying. We are chosen exiles. We are sojourners in this world which means we truly are different. We act, think, feel, and believe differently because spiritually speaking, we have been reborn.
This week we’re going to see this Spiritual rebirth has given us a new nature. In verse 16 above you’ll notice that we are now Holy as God our father is Holy. And here’s the point- to be Holy is to be different. To be holy is to be “other than” and set apart in this fallen world. And the beautiful thing about us being different is that being different is not about us but God. You see, most people strive to be different to draw attention to themselves. Our charge is to be different to draw attention to our God who has transformed us and empowers us to be different.
So hey, here’s the deal… The Lord is forging us to be different. He’s forging us to be holy. Take some time to read the text above and ask the Lord to make you different… Holy as He is Holy.
See you Sunday Church,
Jerry Lingenfelter
Senior Pastor |
