Church in the WildSample

We are Different

In John 17, Jesus prayed for His disciples and all of us believers to come that we would be “in the world, but not of it.” You belong to His kingdom when you are in Christ, and your citizenship changes from darkness to light. When a nation grants you citizenship, you are bestowed with certain rights and governed by its laws. The government of your spiritual citizenship is Jesus, and He has His own way of doing things.

The teams of disciples that went out, including Paul in Acts, went to the ends of the earth as they knew it and changed the society around them. They didn’t go into society and “fit in”; they were different to make a difference. It is in the “in this world but not of it” as written in John 17 that Jesus prays for.

They started Churches in Philippi after having a praise party in prison (Acts 16); they transformed the economy of the city of Ephesus so much that they rioted to get them out, they spoke to the people in Athens about the “unknown” God. They didn’t spread the gospel by just their words; they spread the gospel by being different amongst the people. Their love, grace, lives, message of hope, and peace are what made an impact no matter where they went.

We may look the same as everyone else, but we are different. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 states that the weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world: we love where others hate, we have peace where others are anxious, we forgive where others hold grudges. We “do good” where others are liars and evil brutes (like in Crete, the book of Titus). We have the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing, life, and joy.

The stories of Acts 16-28 show us how we can be ministers wherever we go: praise parties while in prison, loving people that others hate– wherever you are planted, make a difference. We encourage you to read these chapters and notice how ministry flowed out of the Bible characters wherever they were.

"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose." - Acts 16: 25-26

Prayer Point: Heavenly Father, as I wait on you in prayer, empower me to make a difference in my workplace, my family, and the community you have put me in. Today, help me to be different to make a difference, to love when others hate, forgive, and praise when others are in panic. To show your love, grace, and power wherever I go today. Give me opportunities today, Lord, to make a difference for you.