Being Different . . . Exceptionally Different

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Brilliant physicist Albert Einstein once said,

“The one who follows the crowd

will usually get no further than the crowd.

The one who walks alone

is likely to find himself in places

no one has ever been.”

Fashion designer Michael Kors said in a recent CNN interview, “Those that are different are successful.”

“The one who walks alone” and the “different” people are standouts.

Did you ever wonder how different Christians should be? After all, the Bible says Christians are “peculiar people“ (Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9). Are we supposed to be weird . . . or maybe exceptional? What does being peculiar mean?

Peculiar in Titus 2:14 means “being one’s own possession.” The context talks about Christians belonging to God. The word peculiar has nothing to do with being strange or weird. It means that we are different in that we belong to the Lord.

Some religious sects take this idea to extremes. They seem completely otherworldly, since they’re so set apart as to be aliens. Their dress, rules, customs, and way of life seem to have come from somewhere else. (One wonders where.)

A biblical Christian is set apart. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him (Psalm 4:3).

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy (1 Peter 1:15-16).

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).

As Christians, we are different because the Holy Spirit abides in us and we are being conformed to the image of Christ.

What does that Christ-difference look like?

• Kindness
• Love
• Patience
• Treating others fairly
• Peacefulness
• Respect
• Morality
• Honesty
• Self-control
• Modesty
• Humility

The child of God has a different motivation. He wants to glorify God with his life. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

He’ll be different!

If you walk with God, others notice. They may not mean them as compliments, but you might hear remarks like these:

• I notice you’re gone every Sunday (to church).
• I knew you would pay your bills.
• I notice your children obey without questioning. What’s your secret?
• You’re a man of your word.
• I notice you dress modestly.
• I feel the love in this place (church).
• We’ve noticed how you treat your wife and children.
• You’re always smiling.
• Why are you always with your children?
• I notice you never speak badly about others.
• You don’t understand; you don’t have problems like I do.
• Oh, I guess you wouldn’t be interested in going to (worldly entertainment location).
• You married such a good person, you have a perfect marriage.

The world—those not trusting in Jesus as Savior—will not understand a true, obedient Christian. He will look strange to them.

The Bible puts it this way. Notice the “why” to our being unique:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,

an holy nation, a peculiar people;

that ye should shew forth the praises of him

who hath called you out of darkness

into his marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9).

All that we are, all that we do, all that looks strange to the world around us is for the purpose of glorifying God. He alone deserves our praise. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing (Revelation 5:12).

Why are we different? To give God glory. To be a living testimony.

May God help us show forth His praise through our lives! Let’s be godly different!