You cannot make a difference without being different …

That truth from pastor Alistair Begg is opposite of what we have heard from too many pastors for far too long. Embracing culture instead of engaging it, too many leaders have pressured the people of their congregations to look and live like the world, and have led the way by insisting on offering services that mimic culture.

But when someone steps out of their broken cultural norms to look for truth among the church, they don’t want — and will not benefit from — a church that is a mirror image of society.

Without the Gospel of Jesus Christ, lived fully in a counter-cultural openness, the church has nothing of lasting benefit to offer the world.

“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,” Romans 12:2.

“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world,” John 17:14-18.

“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God,” James 4:4.

“Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret,” Ephesians 5:10-12.

“The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you,” John 15:19.

Be different!

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children,” Ephesians 5:1.

“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps,” 1 Peter 2:21.

Scotty