GENUINE CHRISTIANS ARE DIFFERENT

By Curtis Pugh

Paul wrote: “For who maketh thee to differ from another?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Who has made you different from others, if you are? True Christians are different: they are followers of the Lamb: Jesus said so. He said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me,” (John 10:27). Either they do or they don't and Jesus said they do! Not being perfect they may stumble, but they continue following Christ.

False Christians still love the world: their desires and actions prove it. John wrote: “...If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him,” (1 John 2:15). Lovers of the world are not followers of the Lamb! They have not been made different from others! The question is all important: “who maketh thee to differ from another?” If you are different from the world it is God who has made you different. It is God who causes individuals to cease loving the world.

Just what is the “world?” The world is made up of all those things, activities, people and ideas that are popular with the majority. It is the things God hates for Jesus said: “...that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God,” (Luke 16:15). Look around. All the things that mankind loves, values, strives for and thinks are worth doing or having are hated by God.

Hollywood stars, TV actors, sports figures, politicians, wealth, pleasure, power – these are some of the things “highly esteemed” among people today. Even some preachers and world renowned religious leaders are well loved and highly popular. We must face the fact that much called Christianity is hated by God. Remember the prophetic words of the Lord Jesus: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity,” (Matthew 7:22-23).

Look at popular “Christianity.” Who is claiming to prophesy? Who claims to have power over demons, sickness and the devil? What crowd claims to be able to work miracles? And what religious leaders have multitudes clamoring after them? Jesus said when that crowd stands before Him He will order them out of His presence because He never knew them. And He will pronounce all their religion as being horrible sin. But that crowd, while claiming to believe the Bible, are so blind as to be unable to see themselves in the words of Christ this very day! Remember, Jesus spoke of “blind leaders of the blind.” He said, “...if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch,” (Matthew 15:14).

The question is, can you see? Has God made you different by giving you spiritual eyesight: spiritual understanding? “Who maketh thee to differ?” If you are different from the world, God made you so! Give Him the glory!