Be Different
“And they said, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand.”
And this was the response when Samuel, who is regarded probably as the greatest of all the Old Testament prophets, asked the people: “Have I ever disappointed you?”
You see it was his lifestyle that impressed the people. If we go to the Gospel of John 18:38: “Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.”
Even the enemy recognized the flawless character in Jesus Christ, our Savior.
In this world today where it appears that just anything goes, that standards have just fallen by the way - you and I must walk the talk, so to speak. We must be different from this sad, old, sick world in which we are living in.
Remember, it was the population of Israel that recognized the character of Samuel. It was the enemy of Jesus, Pontius Pilate the Roman Consul, who recognized his innocence and actually spoke up for Him. People should want what we live - our lifestyle.
One of my favorite scriptures is Romans 8:19 which says:
“For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.”
What does that mean? Well, some young people are listening to this message - it means that all the world is waiting, on tip-toes, to see what the sons and daughters of God are going to do about the situation. Remember, action always speaks louder than words.
I remember like yesterday, when I was a wild colonial boy. I had been playing rugby, we were going into the pub and all kinds of stories were spoken, blasphemy and everything else and we were having a few beers.
My brother in law had just come up from Rhodes University, he was an excellent sportsman. He was sitting down on the verandah and having a Coke and I said: “Ian, come in and join us!” And he said, “I am fine out here” and he just smiled. But you know, deep down in my heart I didn’t want him to come in and be with all the nonsense that was going on in that pub because I respected him.
You and I today must be different to the world. The world must want what we have.
Have a wonderful day as you go out and shine for Jesus.