Jesus Called Us to Be Different

Life is full of many choices and decisions. As human beings, most of us naturally feel the need to be accepted by other people.  Unfortunately what everyone else is doing isn’t always right, moral, or healthy.  And the temptation to fit in can lead us down the wrong path.  Whether you’re a teen or an adult, the decisions can be hard---do you do what God expects from you or do you do what the world expects from you? Sometimes the thought of being mocked by others can be intimidating.  

The Bible teaches us that as Christians we are to be different, that we are not of this world. And that is something that is difficult for anyone to remember, especially with the messages we receive on a daily basis from advertisements, music, film and television. The pressure to be liked and accepted by others is sometimes so great that it can be tempting to lower our standards by having premarital sex, experimenting with drugs, or getting involved with violence. And sometimes it can be something more subtle as gossiping, making derogatory remarks, or telling offensive or crude jokes, just so we’ll get a laugh or be accepted. But it’s important to remember that all the people that pressure us to do these things, aren’t looking out for our best interest, and aren’t what you’d call “real” friends. Only God truly cares about us and that is why He’s called us to be different.  

To be honest, life can be hard—especially as a young adult. The choices we make during that time can have a lasting effect on our life. Choosing not to cave in to peer pressure can save us from a life time of troubles, like drug addiction, unwanted pregnancy, jail time, alcohol-related accidents, etc. It’s important to know, when we’re faced with a situation, to realize that we have a choice. It’s okay to be different. It’s okay to say no. People may tease and harass us, but remember, they harassed Jesus and what did He do? He continued on. Jesus tells us in John 15:19 “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”  

Sometimes we don’t always make the right choices and when we do give into peer pressure, remember Jesus is always there to pick us up when we fall. It’s never too late for Jesus to turn our life around if we ask Him for forgiveness and ask Him for strength. The Bible says in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And it’s true---Christ will strengthen us and we will be able to walk away from any situation. What does the in-crowd have to offer? It offers only temporary popularity, false sense of belonging to something, and sometimes even tragedy. In God’s Kingdom, you have everlasting love, a Father who cares, and eternal life. Next time you feel like you need to fit in, ask yourself which group you want to belong to – what this world has to offer or the Lord’s Kingdom? Here’s a hint: The Lord’s Kingdom lasts forever.