The People of God

I'm tired of being weird!
Why does spiritual maturity come so slowly?

Faithful Christians stand out. These folks are just plain different. This results from sincere God-driven effort, not merely to be different, but to have Christ-like character, which makes them different. These individuals stand out--in appearance, in attitude, in values, in purpose, in disposition, in character, in speech.

Sometimes we get tired of standing out, of being weird (if you will). Why should we be the only ones doing right? Why should we have to be focus of open stares or repeated sidelong glances? Why can't we relax our standards? Why can't we blend in more?

God's peculiar people have been called into light! When we chose to follow the Lord and His ways, we chose to walk away from darkness. Not one has yet succeeded in blending light with darkness while at the same time preserving the distinctives of each. And no one ever will succeed in such a silly endeavor. Weird? I'm not weird! I seem so to those in darkness, but why should I go by their darkened standard?

God's peculiar people are His! When we cast our lot with the Lord, we became His own exclusive treasure. We belong to the Almighty One! I can't imagine why I should think that I can continue being His while at the same time "enjoy" belonging to the devil. That can't be done either. Weird? I'm not weird! I seem so to those who belong to the devil, but what do they know about it?

God's peculiar people have obtained mercy! When we came to the Lord in repentance and humility, we began a life in His mercy. The alternative is no mercy and increasing hardness (Romans 9:18). Can anyone tell me why I should chose anything other than mercy?! Weird? I'm not weird! I seem so to those who have chosen wrath, but how much sense does that make?

I know. The reality of the matter is that we do indeed get tired of being different. But let's not allow our feelings to get in the way. Let's be honest with the Lord and tell Him plainly when we go through these times of being fed up with "being weird." Then let's ask Him to help us see straight again. Let's ask Him to help us be faithful. To Him. For Him.

OK, so last Sunday we saw in the Scriptures lots of hope for us. God is working in our lives, slowly shaping us after the image of Christ. The Lord is striving mightily to bring us to greater maturity and perfection in Him. We like the sound and implications of forgiveness, cleansing and justification. If we can just stick it out, we will be transformed! (Different, you know!)

But why must the process be so slow? Is there anything I can do to speed the process along? Sure!

Don't leave the Lord; be faithful and obedient (Col. 2:10,19).

Get daily dosages of the Word (2 Timothy 3:16,17; 1 Peter 2:2).

Don't despise the brotherhood (Ephesians 4:15,16).

Endure the testing of your faith (James 1:3,4).

Practice spiritual sanitation (2 Corinthians 7:1).

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