It is not easy being different. The story of “The Ugly Duckling” taught us that. When someone is of different race or a different gender than “everybody else in the room,” he might feel a bit uneasy. It is certainly easier to “blend in” sometimes than it is to “stand out.”
Christians sometimes may feel like they are always the ones standing out, especially when compared with “worldly folks.” Everybody else drinks, but I don’t. Everybody else uses profanity, but I don’t. Everybody else enjoys a dirty joke, but I don’t. Everybody else has sex before (or outside) marriage, but I don’t. Everybody else dresses in revealing attire, but I don’t. Everybody else sleeps in on Sundays, but I don’t. Being different can be difficult.
Additionally, compared with many “religious folks,” New Testament Christians often stand out. Other groups teach “accepting Jesus” by saying a “Sinner’s Prayer,” but we don’t. Other groups talk about the Holy Spirit speaking to them and leading them, but we don’t. Other groups use mechanical instruments in their worship, but we don’t. Other groups have women leading in worship, but we don’t. Other groups teach about the rapture and 1,000-year reign of Christ, but we don’t. At every turn, it seems that we are the ones who are different!
Brother or sister in Christ, let me take a moment to encourage you to remain strong in your faith and in your stand for righteousness. Sometimes a Christian may grow weary of being the one who is different all the time, and he/she may just decide to give in, blend in and go along with everyone else. Suppose Noah had decided to do that. Suppose Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach or Abed-Nego had decided to do that. Suppose Jesus had decided to do that. What a disaster it would have been for them, as it would be for us!
Remember that God does not want us to be conformed to what everybody else is doing (Rom. 12:2). Remember that God does not want us to follow a crowd in whatever path they’re walking (Ex. 23:2). Remember that God does not want us to have fellowship with those who do not practice His righteousness (Eph. 5:11). Remember that God does not want us to commend or show approval for those who do not accurately teach His word (2 John 9-11). Remember that God does not want us to believe or accept everything that someone might teach about Jesus or the Bible (1 John 4:1).
Dear Christian, if you are standing up for sound doctrine and holy living, you are standing with and for God! Do not be ashamed! Do not grow discouraged! Do not be pressured to capitulate! God is on your side (2 John 9b). When you stand with and for God, God stands with and for you!