Being Different

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

The United States of America could once say the same thing. We were first a nation founded on biblical principles and blessed by God. When the new nation formed after the Revolutionary War, our founders had the foresight to know we needed the freedom to worship according to our consciences; religion can not be legislated because it's a matter of the heart. Everyone must choose for themselves.

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:15).

Over the years, we as a nation have drifted farther and farther away from God. God calls His people to stand out from the crowd and stand up for Him. Have Christians done this in the way God intended? Have we shone our lights into the darkness that's creeping in to try to envelop the world? Have we demonstrated righteous living and godly choices?

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).

When we accept Christ into our lives, He transforms us so we become new. We should no longer conform to the world's standards or try to act like nonbelievers. We should seek the things of God -- those things that are right and good and acceptable to Him. We should strive to please Him and not man, to fit into His Kingdom, not a worldly one. What a difference we could make if all Christians understood this and acted on it within their own lives!

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