But are we DIFFERENT?

Haha ok, so I'm sorta into dictionary definitions...not really, but here's another one. The definition of DIFFERENT is: not alike in character or quality; differing; dissimilar; not identical; separate or distinct.

Ok, so different is very...different. Not the same. Unlike in many or all ways or points. Read these verses.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galations 3:27

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ... " Romans 6:1-23

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. " Romans 12:1

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own," 1 Corinthians 6:19

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. " Romans 12:2

"Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:21

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galations 6:14

"that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Philippians 2:15

"by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." 2 Peter 1:14

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world." 1 John 2:15+16

So, I'm sure you know where I'm going with this by now. If you're a Christian, what marks you as such? Because you say you accepted Christ? That's one way. But I think more importantly than what you say is what you do. As Christians, we're supposed to be set apart from the world, different. Out hearts, lives, and minds have been changed, and now they're becoming like God's. God really doesn't want to have anything to do with the THINGS (not people) of the world. All the practices that He considers sinful/worldly. There are obvious ones...murder, lying, homosexuality, taking his name, hatred, etc. Then there are the not so clearly outlined ones that are often called "gray areas." Music, movies, alcohol, etc. etc. etc. Now, I don't really want to get into a big ole discussion about those things, but it presents the question...

ARE WE DIFFERENT?

The world does one thing and is associated with sin and is the opposite of God. Christians, then, are to do another thing. The opposite, basically. So even in those "gray areas"...are they really gray? Do they represent the world in any way? And more importantly, if God was here on earth, would HE do them? Before you answer that question in your head, think about the holiness and perfectness of God. Totally sinless, totally set apart, totally different. Perfect in every way and without sin. If God was standing next to you listening, watching, etc. while you go through your every day life, would he approve?

ARE WE DIFFERENT?