Standing Out in a Crowd
No one likes to be excluded and rejected. It’s something that makes kids cry and angers adults who must explain to their children that not everyone likes everyone… and whatever else they can think of to help pacify.
There’s also a lesson for adults facing the same challenge. And if you’re a growing, thriving Christian, you’re in that situation. Peter addresses it in 1 Peter 2. The book of 1 Peter is about how we are to be holy as He who called us is holy. If you live a life that anywhere resembles Christ’s holy life, others are going to be at odds with you. That may be family members, co-workers, classmates or neighbors. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1 Peter 2:7-8) If they stumble at Christ and his word, they are going to stumble at you while you stand for and resemble Christ. There are many things in the Christian life that are black and white. You may like to live in the gray areas, but Christ didn’t live there.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:18-20)
I know, it’s not a comfortable idea. But the truth is, not everyone will be your friend because you are not a worldling. And notice the schism between you and others isn’t caused by you condemning others and being mean and hateful to them and looking down your nose at what they do. You can be living a positive life according to the truth, doing what you’re supposed to be doing, minding your own business, standing for Christ, and that rift comes hunting for you. Peter addresses this a lot in 1 Peter.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:9-11)
So there you are, abstaining from fleshly lusts. You don’t join in with the drinking. You remove yourself from dirty conversations. You find something else to do when a bad TV show comes on that others are watching. You don’t know what they’re talking about when they discuss a violent video game.
They end up talking bad about you. You’re the one who is rejected and made fun of. But here’s the ultimate perspective. Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)
You aren’t living for the moment. You are living for the future. You will face God, just like they will. Only they aren’t living like they know they will face God. You know better, so learn to live with that reality.