Among Them, But Not Of Them

I had a really great Saturday. My parents came to visit me, so we got to go to the empty cross again. Later on I went to go see a play that was on campus and there was a line that one of the actors said that stood out to me. "I am among them, but not of them". He wasn't even talking about Jesus's words, but that's where I'm going to go with this. Jesus said that we are in the world, but not of the world. That means that we are among others that are of the world and do worldly things, but we aren't of it. It's like this- just because you are in a foreign country doesn't mean you are of or from that country. Hearing him say this line made me think about how so many of us Christians today are acting like we are of the world. We try to fit in with the latest trends and do what's cool, whether that's in the way you act, look, or things you watch or listen to. We as Christians are supposed to be different. 2 Corinthians 6:17 says "Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you". If we act as Christ stated in John 15:19, then of course we would look different to others in the world. Our culture today is so  into fitting in and not standing out that we are trying exhaustively to be like the world that we can't share Jesus with anyone because we don't look different in our thought, actions, and beliefs. We need to stop just being Christians on Sundays around other Christians. Then again even on Sundays I still see youth acting like they are of the world while at church! I know it can be hard because of our prides and "reputations", but we have to be different and act like Christ if we want to help the hurting. We can't necessarily do that if we are caught in the same problems they are having. If someone is hurting because of how they have been bullied in school, we as Christians can't go and show them love if we are, in their eyes, the very same people that may be bullying. Jesus was different, and look what He did- saved the world! Past, present, and future! It's people who act different than everyone else that make a difference in the world. You don't have to do it alone either because the Holy Spirit is with you, abiding in you, and guiding you. He honors your heart for wanting Him to guide you. Plus in heaven, you are going to be around the body of Christ who all have different stories, journeys, and victories. Make your life one that you can give all the glory to Jesus in the end.