A follower of Jesus Christ thinks and acts differently than the people of the world. The Apostle Peter described that change:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Peter apprised his fellow believers that they were part of the world system, but now they are a chosen people. God us so that we could be His witnesses. Believers have the privilege and responsibility to proclaim God’s greatness. Believers are to live as missionaries in a foreign land:

Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:11-12)

What does it mean to live like a missionary? As believers, we must understand that this world is not our home. This means that we will feel uncomfortable at times. Jiddu Krishnamurti observed, “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” We live in a culture that does not have our values and may also have animosity toward us because of our beliefs.

This world does not exist for our sake. Peter described us as aliens and strangers in this world. We may feel sad, frustrated, or even angry as we experience the injustice of a fallen world – but this world is not our home. We must understand the world system and filter what we see through the lens of Scripture. We may not agree with the values of the world, but we have a responsibility to be salt and light. We are not to sequester ourselves away from the culture, but we are to follow the example of Jesus and be a friend of sinners.

We do not see what we can get from the world – but rather what can we give to the world. We should not expect businesses or government agencies to adhere to our values. Our goal isn’t to be rich, comfortable, or famous – our goal is to further the gospel. We have a responsibility to love the people around us. We may not approve of their beliefs and actions, but we are to accept them as a person for whom Christ gave His life. It can feel uncomfortable to be an outsider; however, our discomfort may be alleviated by realizing our identity in Christ as we proclaim Him to the world.

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark