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Apr 21, 2022 18:30pm

Called to Be Different

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During many lessons with my High School Sunday School class, I would ask the question, “what do people think it means to be a Christian?”

The answers would come quickly. They knew what people said it meant to be a Christian. These were some of their answers.

– They don’t cuss.
– They don’t drink.
– They go to church.
– They pray.
– They tell others about Jesus.
– They read their bible.
– They look different than the rest of the world.
– They love others.

It’s amazing what high schoolers know. Far more than us adults, if I’m being honest. If I asked that today of the adults on Facebook, the answers would be a tad different.

Why?

Guilt.

As a Christian, instead of saying something is completely wrong, we try to justify it since we ourselves might be guilty of that said thing.

What I tell you today is not popular. In fact, there are many that would fight me to the death to claim that it’s not that big of a deal… and then the justification or excuses would come. But here’s the deal. If you truly are reading these devotionals each morning because you want to learn and grow (which is my heart’s desire for you), then you can’t just pick and choose the lessons you like and follow. God’s Word is not like that, and you know that. We can’t just dismiss x, y, z because we don’t think they are really that big of a deal or that doesn’t really apply to me.

So, what on earth am I talking about?

Aaron’s sons were just devoured by fire from Heaven because they didn’t follow God’s commands. They were to be an example to the people of the right way to do things. Immediately, God’s wrath was poured out upon them because of their sin and the example it would have continued to be on the people.

Now, God gives another command to them.

“And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.” (Leviticus 10:8-11)

So, let’s talk about this. Verse 10. He uses a contrast here, Holy and unholy and clean and unclean. So, what then is he comparing it to?

To drink wine or strong drink would be unholy or unclean versus to not drink it would be holy and clean.

Why? What was the purpose? To be different. To teach the Israelites the way to live for God.

So, Yalanda, you’re telling me that a Christian shouldn’t drink? Well…

What I am telling you is, people are looking to YOU as a Christian to see what is holy and unholy. You are an example of Christ. What is your life, what are your actions displaying to them? Are you different?

At one time, I wasn’t. I called myself a Christian and yet I looked no different than the rest of the world. I was picking and choosing what I thought was right for me. I was an example to others, but I was no different than Nadab and Abihu and I deserved the very wrath of God to come down from heaven and devour me, too.

But through His grace and mercy, I am here, a changed person. One who desires to be more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ. Not for me, but for you! I know there are so many that read these posts in the morning, but you may only pick up your bible once a week, if that. I want my life, my words, my teaching to reflect the truth of God and His holiness.

The problem is, we aren’t calling it sin anymore. We are shrugging it off like it’s just part of society and we are okay with it. We say we love God, but we don’t hate sin.

I pray our hearts are broken. God, let us see Your truth! Let us see through Your eyes how we are portraying Your holiness. And help us to change. Forgive us, Father, where we fail You. Today is a new day and we can start over right now.