Taking "set apart" seriously

Still thinking about being set apart. Today in my quiet time, we looked at the idea that sanctification is at salvation, for now as we live, and in the future. It's the "for now" part that gets to be kind of hard! We've all heard of people who will say, "I'd be a Christian if it weren't for Christians." And it breaks my heart and it makes me mad all at the same time that Christians would choose to live a life that does not represent Christ well. But then I realize that some days that Christian that keeps people from Christ is ME!!

I started this blog with the simple idea that if we loved like Jesus called us to that people would see a difference that would make them want what we have. I still think this is true. But I think it goes even beyond that. If we live a life that represents Christ well, we're going to look pretty stinkin' different from the world. But you know what, we don't always want to look different. No offense to the homeschoolers out there, but you know there is that stigma that homeschoolers just don't quite have the social skills of "normal" folks. I think we fear that if we live that way Christ called us to live that we're gonna stick out ... and not for "good" reasons ... that we'll be awkward, won't get invited places, won't have friends and will be relegated to watching cheesey church TV all the time. I know you don't want to admit it ... but you fear that some days ... just a little!

I think about the times I join IN the gossip rather than turning the conversation or walking away. I think of how I complain just to fit in (I mean, do I really do that???) and can you imagine a day without a negative comment or bad attitude? And that's just dealing with our words and attitudes! We're just scratching the surface here!

I've noticed a trend in my college students ... I call it being "bad ass Christians" ... probably a term in itself I should stay away from, but it nails them. They will very proudly bear the name of Christ, but then it gets a little dicey ... they want to claim Christ, but still drink ... maybe a little too boldly to fit in a little better. They want to claim Christ and cuss at opportune times (just to make a point). They want to claim the name of Christ, but then walk a moral line that makes you a little unsure of which side they are on. They want to be able to do everything that falls in the "gray areas" of morality and spirituality just to prove that they're not goodie goodie Christians. I kid you not!!  And they're not alone ... it may look a little different, but a lot of us are trying really hard to fit into our environment while still claiming to be Christ followers.

But isn't that just what Paul's talking about in 2 Corinthians???

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?  What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?  And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them and walk among them.

I will be their God, and they will be my people.

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.

And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,

says the Lord Almighty.”

2 Cor. 6:14-18 (NLT)

We bear God's name ... but our lives often look nothing like Him!  It may mean we have to make some hard decisions.  It may mean we stick out a little more than we used to.  It's not just about what we don't do, remember ... it's also about what we do!