“We’re living in a dark world how they gonna know if we don’t put His glory on display and let it show, so let there be light.” -Andy Mineo
“What sets us apart from those who don’t follow Christ?” You can’t follow Christ with one foot still lingering in the world. Christ tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him. I could only assume that the cross is very heavy and big, not leaving anymore strength or space to carry anything else. That meaning that you leave behind all the ways of the world and follow Christ. The disciples left everything they knew and loved to follow a man named Jesus, who they knew nothing about. Would you do the same? Would you leave everything you know and love for the sake of the Gospel?
I’m recently read Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and I was reminded of this question.
Here’s a blurb from chapter 8:
“I think sometimes we assume that if we are nice, people will know that we are Christians and want to know more about Jesus. But it really doesn’t work that way. I know a lot of people who don’t know Christ and are really nice people—nicer and more fun to be with, in fact, than a lot of Christians I know.
There has to be more to our faith than friendliness, politeness, and even kindness.
Luke 6:32-36 says,
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
WOW, so true. This is a huge encouragement to me to be set apart everyday. In high school people knew me as a Christian, because I was a nice girl. I was nice and kind to those around me, loving them the way Christ would, but that was it. I was conforming to the patters of this world, ultimately making “Christianity” look fun, but that was also my goal to convert my friends.
Francis goes on to talk about loving those even after they have hurt you. That is true faith. “True Love makes you stand out.”
We shouldn’t give only to expect something in return, but what sets us apart is that we give, because we are loved by a loving Father; not expecting anything in return, but finding pure joy and satisfaction through our giving.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
And that is what sets us apart from the world! I’m super passionate about this topic and would love to hear your thoughts on it!
