In western culture and its influence upon all the rest of mankind, depicting Christians from the rest of the world is most difficult today. The only differences we see come from diverse groups who outwardly show differences in their dress and chosen culture. Outward differences among all others are almost completely unnoticeable. When around a crowd, it is difficult to discern mannerisms which outwardly show a distinct difference between righteous and unrighteous persons.
This should not be. Jesus told the disciples to be different. These differences came from a direct teaching from God upon his chosen children, Israel. At Mount Sinai, God gave an order to stay away from certain things deemed unclean–to depict a difference between clean and unclean things as well as the difference between good and evil.
Christians have been commanded to Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22.
The teachings of old, (a shadow of things to come; a schoolmaster to the Christian) was all about learning right from wrong; good behavior and bad behavior. It seems too many people do not know the difference anymore.
Let us remind ourselves of these teachings depicting what is clean and what is unclean. First we must admit we are to be pleasing unto God for salvation. This means we are to become holy. Lev. 20:7. 7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the Lord your God. To become sanctified is to set yourself apart for the purpose which God commands. In this case, to become holy. Peter emphasizes this same directive. 1 Peter 1:15-16. 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Be holy in all things.
Christians are to be separate. Notice the teaching from old: Lev. 20:23. 23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. From the earliest laws given unto a young nation, Israel, God’s rule was not to walk as the heathen did. God wants his children to be noticeably different in all manner of conversation; written, oral, and actions. We are to walk circumspectly.
Verses 25-26 continues: 25 Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. 26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. God is teaching through the clean and unclean animals the truth about righteousness and unrighteousness. Clean is good; unclean is bad, unacceptable.
Let us notice other passages similar:
Mt. 5:20. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Our righteousness is to be better than those professing Christianity and not living it.
2 Cor. 6:15-18. 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 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. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
We cannot live righteously on Sunday and live like the world the rest of the week.
We cannot straddle the fence and try to live in both worlds.
God has commanded we be separate from the world. This means we are to:
Act different
Speak different
Dress different
Let us look at these and find the commands given by God.
Act Differently:
Micah 6:8. 8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
We have been called to righteousness, therefore do the acts of righteousness at all times.
Romans 8:1-5. 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
If we truly live by the righteousness of God, we mind the things of God, not the world. Therefore, why is it hard to find anyone living by the spirit of God in all matters of life? Too many mind the things of the flesh more than God. Men are doing what seemeth right in their own eyes.
All through Mathew chapters 5-7 Jesus tells his disciples many things to do and not to do as the world does. Spend time studying the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus Christ’s words himself.
Speak Differently:
Proverbs 12:17. 17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
Lies and deceit are from Satan. He who speaks such is a child of Satan. John 8:44. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Eph. 4:25. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Many do not know the truth and speak deceit. They imitate the world and many do not know it. Others say, “That is just business!” as if an excuse is justification.
Dress Differently:
These scriptures are directed at the woman, but they apply to all mankind. The qualifications of men desiring to be leaders in congregations imply the same. We are to dress differently than the world.
1 Tim. 2:8-10. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Many look at this passage as just directed at women who are wives of leaders of a congregation. This is a directive for all Godly people; do not live–dress like–the worldly people do.
Deut. 22:5. 5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.
This passage is in direct conflict with the manner of mankind in the western world and its influence upon the rest. If it is difficult to discern one gender from the other in dress and mannerisms, here it speaks that this behavior is an abomination unto God.
1 Peter 3:1-6. 3 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
The behavior of the believer, chast mannerisms lived before the unbeliever, can win them over without speaking the Word of God but living–conversation–the truth of God. The righteous behavior is enough to convict an unrighteous person to Christianity. This is why we must walk uprightly at all times.
We are commanded to not walk disorderly before man, including our brethren.
2 Thes. 3:6-12. 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
If Christians have been and are doing these things, and are not separating from those who walk disorderly, what has happened is no one is able to identify a Christian? Let us look at a lesson from Jesus.
Matthew 5:13-16. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus said ye are the salt of the earth. A Christian is to be the salt of the earth. What is salt used for? To season and preserve foods. Spiritually, to change the nature of and sanctify a soul for the use in the kingdom of God. In other words, it seasons the life and behavior of a man and sets him apart for the use in God’s kingdom of righteousness. The differences in a righteous man’s life as we previously spoke should be readily noticed by the world. Since these traits are no longer readily recognizable, Christians have lost their saltiness. Notice what Jesus said about salt which has lost its saltiness: it is good for nothing; it is cast out to be trodden under foot of men.
What has happened to Christianity in modern times? The saltiness of righteous men has been lost; it has been trodden under foot of unrighteous men–including those who profess righteousness. It is no wonder the evils of men are as they are. They do not see the light to find their way. Jer. 10:23. 23 O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. Without anyone to assist an evil man to direct his steps, mankind will go astray. With so many people claiming Christianity, but not walking in the light, mankind cannot find his way correctly. The light has been placed under a bushel.
What are we to do concerning this matter? REPENT! Change our ways. Begin letting our light shine that men can see our good works and glorify our father in heaven.
Luke 14:34. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
Warning! Salt which has lost its saltiness is almost impossible to regain its saltiness to flavor anything. Only with the power of God can bad salt regain its savour–saltiness. God can forgive our lack of savor from salt which has lost its saltiness and renew its saltiness.
Have you lost your zeal? Have you lost your saltiness? Repent to God and request he restore your saltiness so you can, again 6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Col. 4:6. AND allow your good works to glorify God, again.
