Different When Christ’s

As I am Christ’s, I am different than society. I act different. I respond different. I proceed different. I am seen as different. I am different.

“⁹For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.” — 1 Corinthians 4:9 (ESV)

In the above, Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church and is discussing the ministry of the apostles. He is pointing out in this verse the reality of being seen as completely contrary to society. Notice the word used, “spectacle” which is defined by Merriam-Webster Online as: “something exhibited to view as unusual, notable, or entertaining, especially: an eye-catching or dramatic public display”. So as a member of the body of Christ, I am something to behold, and gawk at as seen by the world.

“¹⁰We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. ¹¹To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, ¹²and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; ¹³when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” — 1 Corinthians 4:10-13 (ESV)

I am different than the world and that is not accepted, despite the fact that we are currently in a society that wants to celebrate differences. The thing that I see is that the differences are celebrated only when those differences make me like everyone else. My differences are not accepted by the world since they are contrary to the world.

Belonging to Christ is not much different today than 2000 years ago. I am treated as the outcast and the one who is separated from reality. I have not embraced the world and gotten with the times. I am to see and do things like the rest of the world in order to be a part of the world. I am to be “different” and yet the “same” because the world says so.

Doing things in the world different than the world is seen as counter, yet expected. Let me explain. I am to be different in my service to others, as long as it benefits “me”. It is okay to serve others, yet if the world does not agree with who is being served, then my service is wrong. I am to serve one and not the other. As of today world it is not right to serve the pro-life groups, the nation of Israel, the non black or brown groups, the Christian community, as well as others. What would be considered okay would be the service of whatever group the world is on fire for “in this moment”. I am different and vilified for not serving the “right” groups, regardless of how many or how much service is provided.

“¹⁴I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.” — 1 Corinthians 4:14 (ESV)

Belonging to Christ is a being love. I am to, as noted in another writing, wear the badge of Christianity. I am to love all and provide for all and be accepting of all that comes with that badge. I am here to do the work of Christ and if that make me different, then so be it. I am and will persevere and will be provided for by work as that work is for Christ and not the world. As I belong to Christ, I accept being different.

What is it that you do in this world that makes you different? Are you even aware that you are different or are you preoccupied with trying to be the same? What if you wore the badge of Christianity and accepted all that comes with the badge and understood that belonging to Christ makes you different?