DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD

By Samuel Matthews

​Read John 3:16-17 (KJV)
Loved ones, in the above text we learn that God loves the world. The “world,” in this case, refers to the people living in the world for whom Jesus died. Jesus’ death burial and resurrection will saved (or justify) those people who believe and obey Him (Romans 5:1; John 8:24; Matthew 7:21). They then can live by faith in Jesus (Hebrews 10:38).
Many people say they believe in Jesus, and thus they THINK they are saved by “faith only.” With love, we must tell you the truth – they are DECEIVING themselves (Galatians 6:3). We say this because faith is shown in action (James 2:14-26). We must show our faith by what we do (Acts 2:37; 9:6; 16:30) – by our obedience to God (Romans 1:5).
There are many believers who are NOT saved because they have NOT obeyed the Gospel of God (Romans 10:16; Luke 6:46). Jesus will give eternal salvation ONLY to those righteous souls in the world who show their faith by obeying Him (Hebrews 5:9; Matthew 25:46).
As in the days of Noah, the world has become exceedingly wicked and thinking only of evil (Genesis 6:5). Righteous conduct will never be popular in the world; however, once saved, Christians must be DIFFERENT from the world.
God commands Christians to: “15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).
The world’s way has no future promise – it is “passing away.” God is telling His children to show they do not love the world by being different from the world! Those who desire God’s spiritual blessings and rewards must be willing to be DIFFERENT.
We must seek God and live His way (Acts 17:24-28). That means we will not be the “usual” people in the crowd. We will be a purify “peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). If “usual” or “typical” represents the majority (the many), and “different” represents the minority (the few), the wise Christian would rather be with the few.
The “usual” or “typical” people who are conformed to this sinful world are NOT heading in the right direction. According to Matthew 7:13-14, they are with the “many” who are going down the broad way to destruction. Only the “few” that are willing to be different find the narrow way that leads to life.
Christians should all choose to be “different.” We must decide to do what is right, and stick with our choice (James 4:17). Those who purpose to be DIFFERENT from the world are the wise hearers who do God’s will by honoring and respecting His word (Matthew 7:24-27).
Unfortunately, excuses are being made by some Christians to justify sinful-wanderings. Young people who are encouraged in worldly successes more than righteousness, ARE BEING DECEIVED. Much of their wickedness falls back on the example of their parents who have embraced the world and are NOT following God’s directions (Ephesians 6:4).
Christians must choose and determine to be “different from the world now” and “saved in Heaven then,” rather than the opposite, which will be an eternal-disaster (Matthew 25:46).
We can listen to God, maintain righteous conduct, and be morally good, even if no one else around us does. Peter wrote, “1… For he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2).
God commands us to be DIFFERENT and to not love the world. Our love for God, shown by keeping His commands (Matthew 22:37-40), will make us different from the world. We are then assured of this promise: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Romans 1:18-32 describes why God rightfully condemns the “world” and some of what He has done about it. Humanity's fall is pictured as a downward progression. It starts with rejecting God as creator, then refusing to see what can be known about Him by what He has made (vs. 18-20).
The world also rejects the fact that He is our provider; and thus, has stopped giving Him thanks. They worship His creation instead of Him (vs. 21-25). Finally, God acts by giving this unbelieving world over to the unchecked expression of their corrupt sexual desires and all other kinds of sin (vs. 26-32).
In part, He expresses His wrath by giving sinners what they want and condemning them to suffer the painful consequences. Christians must learn to be “different” and turn away from such foolish living!
Paul wrote, “1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Like God’s people of old (Deuteronomy 7:6), Christians should be different from the people of the world. WHY? Because “9 Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).
HOW WE SHOULD BE DIFFERENT
In the wisdom of God, He has not left it up to His people to figure out how to be different; He has plainly told us in many ways. Please search the below Scriptures to clearly learn HOW.
Philippians 2:14-15
Psalm 1:1-2
Proverbs 1:9-16
Proverbs 4:5-7
Jeremiah 29:12-13
Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 6:24-34
John 15:3-5
John 15:18-19
Romans 1:14-16
Romans 12:1-2
Romans 14:13
John 7:24
1 Corinthians 1:10
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
1 Corinthians 9:19-22
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
1 Corinthians 16:14
2 Corinthians 5:7, 17
Galatians 2:20
Galatians 6:1-2
Galatians 6:4
Ephesians 4:22-32
Philippians 4:13
Colossians 3:1-10
1 Timothy 2:1-2.
2 Timothy 1:7
Hebrews 12:1-2
James 3:13
1 Peter 1:14-16
1 Peter 2:5
1 Peter 3:13-16
1 Peter 4:7-11
1 Peter 5:6-7
1 John 4:16-17
Dear Friends, success in being DIFFERENT requires a change of heart from being self-centered, to self-denial (Matthew 16:24-25); from being self-serving, to focusing on what God wants (Psalm 119:97-105); from being self-guided, to willingly-instructed by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). True success is eternal success, and it requires diligence. God’s way is difficult, but it is worth it (1 Peter 4:1-5, 13-16).
Life is full of choices; how we choose now will make all the difference in eternity. God’s way is NOT the world’s way; it is DIFFERENT… different conduct, different hope, for a different home. God’s “different” people are those who will be saved in Heaven in the end (1 Corinthians 15:24).
How will you choose? You can be like most of the world and chart your own course that will never get you to Heaven (Jeremiah 10:23). Or you can choose to be DIFFERENT, righteous, and filled with the hope that comes with seeking and pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6). So, WHICH WILL IT BE?
To the God of heaven be the Glory as His Will is done (1 Corinthians 10:31). Please pray for wisdom, for me and my wife, Cynthia, and for the Liberty NW church of Christ meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. We are praying for you, and we love you all so much. Samuel.