One of the greatest problems that has ruined the name of Christianity today is that we too often try to be just like the world around us. As a Christian, we are called to be different and separated from this world. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Notice, he said to be transformed by renewing our mind! Or to change completely the way we think about things and the way we act.
That is why the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 1:1-2, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” We can no longer live by the advice and counsel of this world, we have to live by the standards put forth in God’s Law – the Bible!
When we read the Sermon on the Mount, we find Jesus teaching us to love our enemies, do good even to those who are evil toward us, to not retaliate when someone does wrong by us, to not divorce for just any reason, to not make oaths, but rather to just keep our word, and so on. As Christians, we are to be light and salt in this world, and the way we are to do that is by the way we live. We aren’t just to go around with bumper stickers and t-shirts that say “I Love Jesus” and then lose our temper at people, be mean and rude to others, and basically act the way everyone else acts and everyone expects us to act.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:14-15, “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.” Truly following Jesus Christ is NOT easy! In fact, it looks impossible from our perspective. That is why the Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:12-13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” The way of following Jesus is NARROW and HARD! Don’t expect to find thousands of people walking that way – it’s too difficult, and it costs too much!
But then, on the other hand – Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” If we truly want peace and joy and rest – there is no other way than the way we are commanded by our Master!