GOD IS DIFFERENT–a statement which no one in professing Christendom would deny. But He is different in a way that extremely few church members realize. If His Word can be believed, His attitude is the exact opposite of man’s when it comes to relationships among those who call themselves by His name.

Place 1000 professing Christians from all denominations, sects, faiths, etc. in one room, have them all dressed casually and have them all talk about their version of religion. Upon entering the room, one would be hard pressed to determine who was from what group. There would be no problems; no ostracism, no rejection of one or more groups. However, sending just one of God’s people into the room changes the situation immediately and drastically. The social atmosphere goes from positive to negative, from cordiality to toxic. Why? Because God’s people are different. As pointed out in the last posting, people automatically shy away from those who are unlike themselves. This is especially true of religious people. To begin with, the people in the room would probably have to be forced to be there. Why? Because people from “those other denominations” would be there. If you think I’m wrong, answer this question. When is the last time there was such an “Ecumenical Conclave” among the church groups in your area? Can’t remember one, can you? Why? Are not they all “saved” and “born again?” Do not the people in the various church-attending, cross-wearing, God-loving, Bible-believing groups comprise “one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God ….?” Do not all “Christians” in your area “bear with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:2-6)? I didn’t think so. Why does the Ephesians statement not characterize the so-called Christian world? Because man insists on doing things his way(s) while keeping those who do not agree with him–“them”–at arm’s length, including the God they supposedly love and obey. And Satan smiles, knowing that his divide and conquer strategy is working perfectly. Not only has he separated the various religious groups from each other, he has separated each of them from God.

However, those in man’s church system do agree on one thing–if you are not like them and liked by them you are not a Christian. Within the various religious groups one finds smiles and back-slaps, hugs and well-wishes. Everyone goes along and gets along. No one stands out as different because church people reject those who are different, especially “those people” who openly believe and obey God’s Word. I can personally bear witness to the change that occurs when a true saint enters an area where a meeting of religious people is taking place. Such a reaction tells you that God’s man/woman has entered their midst.

In Exodus 19:5/Deuteronomy 14:2/Psalms 135:4/Titus 2:14/1 Peter 2:9 God characterizes His true children the exact opposite of the way religious man characterizes those whom he designates as “Christians.” One of the words God uses to describe His people is “peculiar,” meaning different, outside the religious norm. In common parlance we use the “square peg-round hole” example when describing someone who does not “fit in” with the crowd, who does not “go with the flow.” It is human nature to want fit in–to subscribe to the “normalcy bias.” This phenomenon begins early in life and carries over into adulthood. Becoming religious does not affect the situation. The last thing a religious person wants to be is “peculiar,” to stand out from the crowd as being “different.” Churchman will do whatever is necessary to avoid being associated with “those people.” However, the prophets, Jesus Christ, the apostles and the saints of Hebrews 11 are examples of “those people.” To determine how they were received by the religious community of their day, check out how they were treated, how they died, and why. They were hated and persecuted, many of them unto death, because they believed, spoke and lived the Word of God–they were peculiar. Nothing has changed.   To be continued. L.J.