Seemingly unaware of leaflets littering the sidewalk and placards dotting the corners of the intersection, the pedestrians around me continued their normal pace of life on this national election weekend. As a foreigner, I saw a distinct similarity between the smiling faces of the candidates staring from their two-dimensional advertisements and those from my home country. All promised change and hope.
We’re surrounded by any number of cultural influences: national, ethnic, family, and even church. Every group to which we belong has its own identity and ways of viewing the world. It’s easy to live by the familiar, visible cultures around us. However, when Jesus told Pilate “my Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36), He essentially told him: My kingdom looks different from man’s ideas.
Living a life that’s set apart isn’t a list of dos and don’ts. Neither does it mean we withdraw from any political process we’ve experienced through our earthly citizenship. But we must center our identity on this truth: We’re His “living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple” (1 Peter 2:5). Everything we believe, act upon, and speak should carry the very DNA of God’s kingdom (1 Peter 2:11-12). Our first citizenship—even above family and church identification—comes through Jesus.
We’ll never influence society if we care too much about public opinion or fitting in with our peers (1 Peter 2:8-9). Defining ourselves by God’s truth allows us to live by these words: “May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). He provides all we need to boldly live a life that brings Him honor (Philippians 1:20; 1 Peter 1:3-4, 13).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 20:24–21:14
More:
Read Daniel 1:1-21 and 3:1-30. Consider how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s willingness to live differently from their surrounding culture prepared the way for display of God’s protection.
Next:
Where in your life do you find it difficult to be set apart for God? Can we ever be separated from secular society too much?
Gary Shultz on October 1, 2015 at 7:13 am
Wow, right where we live, yesterday dealing with how even business is defined or whatever they call it. Slick sounding human viewpoint, it’s maddening mud we trudge through. How do we come out of that, actually being the light God wants us to be? I need God’s presence, His word and His people, I literately almost get dizzy trying to get footing in the flood of cultural soup streamed at us. I guess that’s where we need to be those stones, planted in the current. Thanks
Tom Felten on October 1, 2015 at 9:12 am
Regina, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words, “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine” (Matthew 10:37). Being a living stone requires a heat set on Jesus and built on His foundation alone.
Winn Collier on October 3, 2015 at 10:22 am
I’ve been struck again this week, through various moments, of how Jesus’ Kingdom way really is at odds with most every other system in this world.