CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 815

“Different”

Ephesians 4:17-19 (ESV)  Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding … due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

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Some people are different alright.  Their attire, mannerisms, speech, and persona are carefully selected to stand out and be noticed.  Everything about them screams, ‘Look at me!’  But this type of difference is not what is meant when we say that born-again Christians are to be different.

The difference of a Christian in our secular society is more subtle yet highly evident.  The Christian difference has others noticing the character, person, and power of Jesus Christ rather than the individual themselves.

He must increase, but I must decrease. – John 3:30

There is no escaping the fact that we are immersed in a world society that has become callous toward God.  We live, work, study, and play in this world yet we are not to become such a part of it that we blend in and compromise on biblical Christian values and morals.  If that happens, we lose our difference and ability to bring glory to God and Christ through our daily living.   So how are we to be different?

…speak the truth with his neighbor – Ephesians 4:25  Tell the truth, even when it costs you.

Be angry and do not sin – Ephesians 4:26 Exhibit righteous anger at injustice along with your coworkers and neighbors.  But can you do so without speaking coarse words or taking the Lord’s Name in vain?  Are you seen as seeking justice or vengeance?

Let the thief no longer steal – Ephesians 4:28  Remain productive at work even when others ‘steal time’ from their employer.  Don’t falsify or pad expense reports.  Purchase your own home office and school supplies rather than take your employer’s.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths – Ephesians 4:29 Are you known for your foul language or for speaking uplifting, wholesome words, seasoned with grace?

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:31,32 Are you known as the constant complainer?  Do people steer clear and ‘walk on eggshells’ around you?  Is your anger on a ‘hair trigger’? Are your conversations poisoned with bitterness and slander of others?

We cannot live the different life in this world in our own strength of will and ability.  We must have the power of the abiding presence of Christ in our heart in order to be salt and light in this world.

May you start your day in prayer and worship seeking first His kingdom and righteousness.  May you continue your day in His power and presence as you shine the light of Christ in the darkness.  May you end your day with prayer, worship and thanksgiving for His love and provision.  Repeat daily and experience the joyous, peaceful difference of an overcoming life.