3 Ways We Are Called to Be Different

As Christians, we are different.

This is no newsflash, but worth discussing—especially in this season.

There are many points to be made on living different from the world. Today, I want to look at three ways foundational to the Christian faith.

#1 - We are called to serve God alone, making Him the ultimate authority in our life.

We are made in the image of a holy God. He is our Creator, and the Maker of all things.

“For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens […]: ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.’” Isaiah 45.18 (NASB)

This knowledge awakens in us an inclination to serve the One in whose image we were made. Understanding this should create a desire to serve God with our entire being. How does this compare to the world’s standard of authority? Here’s an early example from the Old Testament.

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21.25 (NASB)

During the Judges period, the people of Israel experienced great difficulty when they chose to establish their own authority. Their view of right and wrong became more important than God’s. Over and over, this led to disastrous results.

We live in a world so remarkably similar, filled with individuals and groups who consider themselves the ultimate authority on anything and everything. We, however, are called to be different.

{Note: God’s word does instruct us to be in subjection to the governing authorities (Romans 13.1-7). The root meaning of subjection is the Greek word hypotassō, meaning to submit one’s self to. We are called to honor those in authority by submitting to their leadership. It is good to note the exception to this being when government forces us to disobey God.}

#2 - We are called to lay aside the old self and put on our new identity in Jesus.

For most people, the Christian life requires change. When I gave my life to Jesus, I was six years old. There was not much change required of a young preacher’s daughter. Over the years since, I’ve faced many moments of repentance, renewal, and change. This laying aside of the old self, though, is not due to our work or volition—it is a work of grace, for we cannot do it alone.

“…lay aside the old self […] and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4.22-24 (NASB)

Laying aside the old self is related to God becoming the authority in your life. When you give yourself over to Him, the miraculous occurs. Because of Jesus’ work on the cross, a divine exchange takes place. At salvation, the very life of God—through Jesus Christ—comes to dwell in you.

We are called not to elevate self—but to lay aside ourselves for the cause of Christ. We are called not to focus on creating our best life—but to decrease that He might increase (John 3.30). We are called not to live as the world—but to live and move and exist in Jesus Christ (Acts 17.28). This is our new identity.

#3 - We are called to live with the end in mind.

It is really no fun to think about dying. We want to focus on living a fulfilling life of all the good things—life, faith, and family. The prophet Jeremiah said, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29.11).

He has planned good things for you in this life. The Lord has also provided for your future—the end.

In this life, we are called to love and serve our neighbor. This is not always easy, but God has called us to it. We are His representatives on earth, and we must be about the Master’s business—sharing the good news of God’s love for all. Yet, we are not called to live as if this is all there is.

“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3.2-3 (NASB)

In recent years, God has used this Scripture to impress upon me the importance of living with the end in mind. Today, as I observe all that is happening around us, I realize He was using this truth in Colossians to help prepare me.

During great confusion, turmoil, and fear, we find tremendous hope in knowing—as children of God—we have a solid future ahead. We have our eyes on heaven, our final destination. Because our identity is now in Jesus, we are headed somewhere. We are called to live with our eternal home always on our mind.

So, this is my message, today. We are called to be different. We are called to serve God and Him alone, find our identity in Jesus, and live with the end in mind.

The world does not understand this mindset and will fight against it at every turn. Friend, I encourage you to be determined to dig in and stand your ground—and when it seems all else has failed, set your mind on things above…

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