Be Different

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  (Ps 1:1)

We have not given this passage enough weight. It’s less “don’t make fun of him,” although it can mean that, and more, “don’t become one of them.” I like what the Barnes Commentary says:

We have here, then, a beautiful double gradation or climax, in the nouns and verbs of this verse, indicating successive stages of character. There is, first, casual walking with the wicked, or accidentally falling into their company; there is then a more deliberate inclination for their society, indicated by a voluntary putting of oneself in places where they usually congregate, and standing to wait for them; and then there is a deliberate and settled purpose of associating with them, or of becoming permanently one of them, by regularly sitting among them. (esword.net)

Ouch. That opens up a whole new idea. Doesn’t it?

Very rarely does anyone walk a straight, godly path and deliberately make a 180-degree turn and do something exceedingly wicked. Most of the time, it’s a slow descent. You pace yourself alongside and what your ungodly, unrighteous friends do becomes palatable. You make excuses to be there. Perhaps, you say you are “ministering” to them when, all the while, by standing, by sitting down, you change and now no one can see Christ in you at all.

Still, I think we don’t get the importance of this. It isn’t serious enough in our hearts.

Every place we go, every day, is a choice to walk after God or after the devil. Every emotion we give into, the curse word we shouldn’t have said but did, the anger we let loose on some passing driver who cut in front of us, our impatience in line at the grocery store … so many opportunities rise to look like everyone else.

But looking different, looking like the light of the gospel shines in us, takes work. Persistence. Determination. Spine.

And it’s a New Testament command.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Co 6:14-18)

Come out and be separate. That’s part one. Stop associating with sinners. At your job, in your family, at school, when you vote. Warning:  When you separate yourselves, people won’t understand it. They’ll even make fun of it. And I’m not saying to be rude or unkind. We are to walk in love even with our enemies, but they should know why we’ve chosen not to be there, even if it’s unspoken. They see our choice to not go along, to stay home or do something else, not as condemnation (It is the Holy Spirit that convicts) but in the spirit of the love of God that makes us different. (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27,35)

Touch not the unclean thing. Here’s part two that we’ve overlooked, and it goes hand-in-hand with part one. You can’t “come out and be separate” while clinging to what’s unclean, ungodly, and impure. And lest you think that sounds too religious, Paul gives several extensive lists of impure things, ranging from strife and jealousy to sexual sins.

Galatians 5:19-21
Romans 1:29-32
Colossians 3:5-8
1 Timothy 6:4-5

And he follows them with the same thought. We are different.

Galatians 5:22-23:  “But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Colossians 3:10:  “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”

1 Timothy 6:6:  “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

The passage in Romans 2 is poignant on this issue. Paul tells them, point blank, “You boast in the law while breaking the law and the name of God is dishonored through you.” (Rm 2:23-24) We are not under Old Testament law, of course, but we should never despise the grace of God with our behavior.

Similarly, Matthew 5:13-14 calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are cautioned to stay salty and to keep our lights lit. Let everyone know whose you are. That’s what it comes down to. Shine bright enough that everyone sees your good life, your kind character, as coming from God. And walk cautiously so that you stay that way. (Eph 5:15)

Deliberately, on purpose, with intent, be different. Be God’s kid.

>>Note: Don't miss my devotional in this month's Becky Combee Ministries, Inc., newsletter. "The Joy To Come" http://www.beckycombeeministries.com/PDF/Mar2019.pdf <<

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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.feelgoodromance.com
https://sdwauthor.blogspot.com/