What If . . .Would We Still . . .?
WE ARE NOT TO BE OF THE WORLD.
While this will not ever be an exhaustive list of the ways we can live set apart, different from the world, still this remains a “short list” of some of the ways that come to mind.
Truthfully, today I am a bit convicted by my lack of “being different from the world.”
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be discovered.” [as in what we do for our own selfishness is ‘worthless’]
(2 Peter 3: 10 NASB)
- What if We were the only one driving the speed limit on the highway, would we still obey the law as we drive—OR—would we be swept up into the crowd of drivers and disobey the law? &
- What if We were quickly driving our vehicle down the road when another person pulls his vehicle out in front of us, would we apply our brakes—OR—would we quickly change lanes, mutter a grumble at the other driver & “blow off their doors” as we speed by?
WE ARE NOT TO BE OF THE WORLD.
“Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
(2 Peter 3: 11-12 NASB)
looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!”
- What if We were the only one slowing down with the turning of a green light to yellow, as the stop light cycles red? Would we slow down as the caution light shines yellow—OR—would we suddenly accelerate like those around us, hurrying so we do not need to stop and wait?
- What if We were speeding down the highway heading toward our place of employment, would we slow down when we encounter other drivers heading off to work—OR—would we become angry when another driver “parks himself in the fast lane” so that we must pass him on the wrong side?
WE ARE NOT TO BE OF THE WORLD.
“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”
(2 Peter 3: 13 NASB)
- What if We were the only believer employed in our workplace, would we still proclaim our faith within our actions, within our words, and within our convictions as the Holy Spirit leads us through our days—OR—would we blend in with the crowd?
- What if We were the only one bowing our head before our noon meal in the breakroom and the only one reading his Bible during our work breaks—OR—we stand with the other employees sharing stories, jokes, and complaints about the indifference within the world?
WE ARE NOT TO BE OF THE WORLD.
“Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him,
(2 Peter 3: 14 NASB)
[blameless in the eyes of God]
at peace,”
[the peace found only through a personal relationship with Jesus, the Son of God]
- What if We were the only law-keeper within our entire community, would we remain faithful to the law of the land—OR—would we become like all the others in the multitude?
- What if We were the only one on our street who saw the way our neighbor was struggling, would we offer to lend a hand, to open our wallet, or to do whatever needs to be done to help—OR—would we gather with the other neighbors in complaint?
WE ARE NOT TO BE OF THE WORLD.
“and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,
(2 Peter 3: 15-16 NASB)
as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
- What if We were the only one proclaiming Jesus in the lost and dying world, I really wonder—would we bravely speak Jesus—OR—would we hide behind the locked doors inside our homes?
- What if We were the only one knocking on doors within our community, inviting others to know our Jesus, would we witness & testify about our Savior—OR—would we exclaim: “I am just one person! I will just wait for others to join in with me.”
WE ARE NOT TO BE OF THE WORLD.
“You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own firm commitment.”
(2 Peter 3: 17 NASB)
- What if We saw the way a person was treated wrongly (maybe because of their smell, look, or whatever makes them appear “different”), would we befriend the unlovely and introduce him to the love of Jesus—OR—would we turn our back on the need we clearly see?
- What if We knew deep within our heart that Jesus came to save ALL PEOPLE, would we love more like Jesus—OR—would we miss the many opportunities surrounding us?
WE ARE NOT TO BE OF THE WORLD.
“but grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 3: 18 NASB)
To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.
Amen.”
There is a beautiful melody that speaks this truth through song. “We Against the World” by Hulvey, featuring Andy Mineo.
Pause to Listen, tapping your foot as you sing along, remembering that we are to remain “IN” the world—BUT WE ARE NOT TO BE “OF” THE WORLD.
- We are to be at peace because we are to “wait upon the Lord,” and waiting does not necessarily mean we are to sit idly by, passively moving throughout our days.
- We are to TRUST GOD!
- We are to REMEMBER GOD WILL ALWAYS DO WHAT IS BEST!
- We are to REMAIN STEADFAST WITH OUR EYES FOCUSED UPON JESUS!
- We are to DRAW CLOSER TO GOD, DELIGHTING MORE IN “WHO HE IS” THAN IN “WHAT” HE CAN DO TO MAKE OUR LIVES EASIER!
- We are to SEE THE HAND OF GOD WORKING WITHIN OUR WORLD!
- We are to NEVER FORGET—WE ARE TO BE THE HANDS & FEET OF JESUS!
- We are to “GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.”
Even though we may look, stand, walk, and be different from the world, the Apostle Peter writes to remind us how—That’s Okay!
- We are the beloved because of the work of Jesus on the cross and in the grave!
- We are the children of the KING because of Jesus!
We are waiting for “the day of the Lord,” the day Jesus will come and gather each of us to go home.
- May we remain focused upon our task as we patiently wait upon the LORD!
- May we “live out” our lives for the One who gave His life! &
- May we bring Glory and Honor to Our Savior Jesus Christ!
Let us remember WHOSE We Are!
YOU (GOD) + me
YOU (GOD) + ONE BELIEVER = A MAJORITY!
Thus, the Apostle Paul writes under the direction of the Holy Spirit of God this reminder of the way we are to be as we remain within this world.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4: 7-9 NASB)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me,
practice these things, and
the God of peace will be with you.”