Four Ways Jesus Expects Us To Be Different
Jesus Came To Change Things
Change is a word that is loved and hated. Leadership experts tell us that change is important. They say, “To succeed we must continually change.” On the other hand, there’s a great percentage of the population that hears that and shrugs their shoulders. The look on their faces says, “Go ahead and try to change me.”
What about Jesus? To ask the question, “Did Jesus try to change things?” is like asking if a duck walks barefoot on the beach. Of course Jesus came to change things! Here are a few things Jesus came to change.
- our destiny, so that we won’t perish John 3:16
- our hearts, what we love 1 John 2:15
- our minds, how we think Philippians 4:8
- our souls, how we feel Galatians 5:16, 24
- our actions, what we do Colossians 3:12-14
Jesus Expects Us to Be Different
Jesus came to transform us, every part of us. Paul tells us that when we trust in Jesus it is like we are new creations 2 Corinthians 5:17. We have a different perspective on everything.
Because of that Jesus expects us to be different. He told His disciples, and it applies to us, that even though we are still in the world, we are no longer part of the world John 15:19. We are different in God’s eyes and we are in fact different people. The Spirit of God in some mysterious way indwells us and the result is an ability to live differently Romans 8:9-11.
We saw yesterday that a key element of being different is to be set apart from the world, to be holy. But there is another way we are different that flows out of the spiritual transformation that took place when we became a Christian. We have a unique ability to love in a way that is so different from the world that it sets us apart and is noticeable. Jesus taught His disciples four different ways that our love sets us apart.
Four Ways Jesus Teaches That Love Will Make Us Different
- Love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and mind Mark 12:30. Each day we can enthusiastically love and delight in Lord with our whole being.
- Love your neighbor as yourself Mark 12:31. When we do this, it is so strange to most people they will have trouble believing you are for real.
- Love one another John 13:34-35. Our consistent ability to act like Jesus and unselfishly love other Christians shows we are different to the world.
- Love your enemies Matthew 5:43-44. This is the most counter-intuitive thing anyone could ever do. It is hard but we can forgive and love our enemies.
[Tweet “Jesus’ love seen in you speaks louder than words”]
People notice differences. When a person is different because she’s loving when others would be mean and hateful people notice. That’s exactly what Jesus wants to happen.
[Tweet “Jesus’ love seen in you earns you the right to speak about Him with your words”]
It works. Give it a try today.
How can you love with Jesus’ love today? Please leave a comment or question below.
