Distinct or Separate?

How do Christians make a difference in the lives of people without being drawn into the godlessness of the culture? Some Christians decide that the only way to live in a way that pleases God is to be separate from ‘the world.’ The Amish sect is a radical example of that choice. They are marked by their refusal of all things modern in the name of belonging to God. Some Christians move to the opposite extreme, becoming so much involved in the culture where they live that their daily choices are indistinguishable from those of their neighbors who make no claim of faith in Jesus.

Jesus’ example is not one of separation, yet He remained distinct! The religious elite accused Him of being a ‘friend of sinners,’ which He was. But, it was Jesus who changed His world, not the world that changed Him.  He went to the house of Zacchaeus and sat down to eat with this man who was an outcast. At the end of that encounter, the sinner was made whole. In the house of Simon, a prostitute came into the room, to the horror of the respectable men gathered there. Jesus let her weep and touch Him, a scandalous choice, and she was transformed by the encounter. All this came at a great cost to Him!  Jesus Christ existed in eternity, in perfection, in beauty, in perfect harmonious union with God, the Father and the Spirit. He did not ‘need’ to make friends with crooks and prostitutes. He chose to – for love’s sake. But, He never left the fellowship of His Father! We cannot forget this part of His life: "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." (Luke 5:16, NIV) He knew that those times of prayer and worship were critically important.

Those Christians who think that they can live among those who reject God, who hate holiness, who live to serve themselves without the interaction having any effect on them are mistaken and unless we understand the nature of darkness, we risk being swallowed by it. Evil slimes the soul. Love drains a person. The only way to be ‘salt and light’ and retain the distinctively bright beauty of a holy life is to intentionally withdraw on a regular basis to renew our fellowship with our Father who empowers us and other Christians who encourage us.

The Word counsels us to love and get involved, but with a healthy respect for the power of temptation. "Brothers, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important." (Galatians 6:1-3, NLT)  We are called to get  involved, we are called to holiness. Both are part of discipleship.

Christian, is there a quality of faith and fellowship with the Spirit that makes you distinct from those who have yet to know Christ?  
Are you shining like a bright light in dark places?

"Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." (Romans 12:21, NLT)

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NIV)