To Be A Separate People:
What does it look like to be a separate people?
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them and be you separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
In other words: the children song works well here; Be careful little eyes what you see for the Farther up above is looking down in love, be careful little ears what you hear for the Father up above is looking down in love, be careful little lips what you say for the Father up above is looking down in love, be careful little hands what you touch for the Father up above is looking down in love, be careful little feet where you go for the Father up above is looking down in love.
If we are careful to do as Jesus taught us then yes the world will mock us.
John 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
Jesus did only good and brought others healing and life and yet the world crucified Him. I have already heard that I take this Jesus thing to far. Jesus went all the way to the cross for me; I know I am safe with Him from all alarm.
Jesus taught us in Matthew 4:3-11 how to deal with satan’s lies: 4 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “IF You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But Jesus answered and said “IT IS WRITTEN (we have to know what is written in Gods word) man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” In this satan was trying to get Jesus to doubt He was the Son of God by getting Him to prove it; satan said IF YOU ARE the Son of God. Jesus knew He was God’s Son. 5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy temple city, set Him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6) and said to Him ” IF You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down for it is written; (yes the devil knows the word of God and can twist) “He shall give His angels charge over You and, (the devil left out part of the scripture here which says “to keep you in all your ways”) ” in their hands they shall bear you up least you dash a foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, “You shall not tempt the Lord Your God (God will come to our rescue but we are not to intentionally put ourselves in danger.) 8 again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 he said to Him “all these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him ” AWAY with you satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve. We also know that the devil owns nothing! God created all things! Psalm 50:12 If I were hungry I would not tell you; For the WORLD is Mine, and ALL its fullness!
Jesus explained in Matthew chapters 5-7 how we are to behave and he explained the ten commandments in details we could understand more fully.
When we truly take up Christ cross in our lives the world does think we are strange. Those things we used to do we don’t want to do any more. I don’t like the kinds of movies that are out there now with all the sex and violence. I don’t even like TV shows that have those things in them. All the commercials that show us half-dressed men and women to get us to buy their products. These are the things our children are being taught by the world through a box. The foods they advertise are unhealthy for us, the cars, the clothes, the cosmetics that they say will make us better. All the drugs with all their side effects to cure one thing and cause another thing so we need another drug to cause something else. So yes when Jesus said they will hate you because they hated Me know it is the truth. Those of us who stop trying to fit into what the world wants us to be like and begin to listen to what Christ wants us to be like will face challenges.
Friends will fall away, some family members will try to say you are taking this Jesus to far. The love and peace that Christ offers is more valuable than any thing that this world has to offer. All things here will pass away. Only God is forever.
Lord in Jesus name I thank You for Your great love for us all. You said Lord “I know My plans for you, plans for good and not of evil, plans for a hope and a future. You alone know what tomorrow holds for each and every one of us. I ask that You touch our hearts and minds about those things in our lives that we need to lay down and change to look more like Your Son Jesus who laid down His life that we may have a Life of great joy, love, and peace with You forever. I thank You Lord for Your long-suffering with us because You said that You would that not one would be lost. Lord Your greatness is unsearchable. When things get hard Lord help us look to You in love knowing all things are for Your glory and in Your control.
In Jesus precious name -AMEN-
