Jul 2, 2020 4 min
As the people of God, we have a call simply to be different. This call separates us from the world and aligns us with God, and His plans, purposes, and pursuits. This call is repeated or referenced multiple times throughout the Bible. For example, in His final prayer before leaving Planet Earth, Jesus affirmed that we are not of the world(John 17:16). In II Corinthians 6:17, Paul reminds us of the Lord’s admonition to come out from among them (the world), and be separate. Also, in II Corinthians 10:3, Paul teaches us that that though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. Finally, the Apostle John admonishes us to not love the world or the things in it. The Biblical injunction to God’s people to practice separation is undeniable.
One of the most powerful instances of separation in Scripture involves the Israelites and the Egyptians at the onset of Moses’ tenure as Israel’s deliverer. Consider God’s words to Pharaoh in Exodus 8:23: “I will make a difference between My people and your people.”
This single, divinely designated difference not only resulted in the Israelites’ deliverance from Egyptian bondage, but it also immunized them against the ten plagues that inundated Egypt, right down to the final plague, featuring an angel that slew Egypt’s firstborns.
But God did not stop there in distinguishing His people from the Egyptians. When Pharaoh, in a last-ditch effort to retain control over the Israelites, overtook and trapped them at the Red Sea, it appeared that the Israelites had no way of escape. However, God always makes a way of deliverance for His people (I Corinthians 10:13). In true fashion, God opened up a route for the Israelites through the sea, lured the Egyptians in after them, and “overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea” (see Exodus 14). And just like that, the Lord separated His people from a problem that had plagued them for centuries! That alone makes the call to be different a worthwhile endeavor!
But the call to be different has a nobler purpose. Consider Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
This scripture, like no other, fully encapsulates the call to be different. It includes three elements: the call, the way the call is fulfilled, and the purpose of the call. Let’s discuss those elements briefly.
First, Paul announces the call with the command (not suggestion) to resist conformity with—that is, be different from—the world. This call is important because it separates us unto victory. Some Christians believe that our trials set us apart from the world, but according to I Corinthians 10:13, our trials are what we have in common with the world. This scripture points out that God will not allow trials that exceed our durability and will always make a way of escape. Of course, we will experience trials, but what distinguishes us from the world is our way of escape—that is, our deliverance—from those trials without hurt (Daniel Chapters 3 and 6).
Secondly, the call to be different can only be accomplished through transformation (the antithesis of conformance). The placement of the word but in this scripture indicates that the only alternative to conformance is transformation. That means being different is being transformed through the renewing of the mind. Furthermore, James 1:21b instructs us to “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save [renew, restore] our souls [which contain our minds]” (brackets mine). Also, in Ephesians 5:26, Paul reveals that God sanctifies (or sets apart/makes different) the Church “with the washing of the water by the word.” Clearly, the Word of God plays the most vital role in our transformation. Thus, our empowerment to be different comes through our steady application of God’s Word to change our minds—that is, the way we see—as how we see is crucial to the manifestation of God’s power through us!
Finally, Paul reveals why this call is so important to God: that we “may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” God is very interested in proving, or demonstrating, His goodness because it is the goodness of God that leads people to repentance (Romans 2:4). There is ample scriptural evidence for this truth. For example, after hearing about the mighty acts God wrought on behalf of the Israelites, Rahab defected from Jericho to Israel. Even in the midst of her sorrows, Naomi had such an effect on Ruth that she abandoned her country to embrace Naomi’s God. Some Egyptians were so impressed by the power of God seen in the execution of the plagues against Egypt that they joined the Israelites in their exodus from Egypt (see Exodus 12:38). On the Day of Pentecost when God awesomely demonstrated His power and goodness through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, thousands of people repented and received Jesus as their Savior (Acts 2). Multitudes responded to the healing anointing that operated through Peter (Acts 5:14-16). Even the priests (the religious people of the day) turned to God when confronted with the gospel ministered through His people.
Need I say more? God’s power evidently impacts unbelievers, and He uses us to minister that power and ultimate impact. God has no question about His plan for your life, about the role you play in His ministry to masses. The question is: will you answer the call to be different?
God bless you as you continue to hear and heed His Voice!
