How Are You Different?
Matthew 5:46-48 – 46 “If you love only those who love you, what good is
that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47If you are kind
only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans
do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your FATHER in heaven
is perfect.” (NLT)
In GOD’S eyes, all humans are in the same condition. We are all under
the power and control of sin. (Romans 3:12) Spiritually, we are all
held captive as prisoners of sin, with only one way of escape, JESUS
CHRIST. (Romans 7:24-25) So, in our spiritual condition without JESUS
CHRIST, there are no differences among us. However, there do exist
physical differences among us that we often use to distinguish ourselves on
earth, but in the presence of the full truth, that is, the LIGHT, it
becomes clear that we are in the same boat. As humans, we make a habit out
of separating ourselves based on physical things such as: appearances,
careers, education, financial status, religion, and many other things.
But we must remember that these things pass with time, which ultimately
leads to the fact that the differences we have strived to erect among
ourselves on earth will eventually pass away. But spiritual things are
beyond the reach of time and decay; so after these physical differences
have withered, humans still remain in the same condition. That is, we
are doomed to die and suffer eternally without hope, unless we receive
the new life offered through JESUS.
So, given our common spiritual condition, why does the LORD encourage
HIS disciples to be different?
Well, before the new birth, given that all people are under the power
of sin, we all tend to behave the same way and operate in a manner
contrary to GOD’S ways. We are trapped into following our sinful nature
because we are clueless to any other way. However, when a person receives
JESUS CHRIST and is thus born again, he gains awareness of another way.
This individual begins to recognize that there is another way to do
things, another way to live. Given this person’s new birth, he has thus
stepped outside of the common spiritual condition of the human race and
has entered into a position that GOD sees as favorable. This person
then becomes a favorite of GOD, and can claim a difference from the rest
of humanity. However, of great significance is the fact that this
difference from the rest of humanity is not based on something physical,
which passes with time, but rather on something eternal, which will last
forever. Therefore, this person will be forever distinguished from the
rest of humanity because he has become a new type of human.
So, given this new human that has been born, should he then carry
himself like the rest of humanity who abides under the power of sin? No,
absolutely not! This new human should be different. The LORD encourages
HIS disciples to be different simply because they have been born again.
That is, they are no longer under the power of sin. There is another
way to live that they now know about. So, to retreat to the mentality
and behavior of the old form of humanity would prove that there exists
no difference between the old and new. However, the LORD encourages
those who have been born again to be different because there is a
difference between the old and the new. In fact, HE is the difference between
the two! HE is the driving force behind the new creatures, whereas the
sinful nature is the driving force behind the old creatures.
Today, is your life different from the rest?