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 Christians
are a “separate” people with different goals, and rules for
attaining those goals that differ from worldly standards. It
would be strange indeed if this did not produce “different”
people.
But
“being different” is not the goal — it is simply the fruit
of our heavenly pursuit, in which the Son of God is our example
and guide. There is nothing in the personal life of Jesus that
suggests he made a spectacle of himself with bizarre dress or
conduct. He attended feasts, ate with sinners, and was at home
with the people of his day, ”yet without sin.”
Peter
says we are a “peculiar” people (1 Pet. 2:9), but this means
we are God’s own possession in a distinctive way — conformed
to the divine image. It doesn’t mean we are necessarily “queer”
by social standards, nor in appearance.
I
heard of one fellow who decided he must be “different” —
so he began to part his hair from side-to-side rather than from
front-to-back. Others who “get religion” feel they must
carry a bulky Bible with them wherever they go. Men who never
wore anything but overalls, now deck-out in a black coat, with
pencils and comb in the breast pocket.
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(This means they are
getting ready to preach.) if a man needs a
Bible to read, or to teach others, by all means carry one. And
if a woman has been dressing immodestly, and painting her self
FOR SALE; then, when she becomes a Christian, her attire and
grooming will reflect the meek and quiet spirit within. There is
something wrong when it reflects a desire to be noticed
as “that woman with the ascension robe.”
Jesus
said those who pray in the streets “have their reward” —
and the expression was used among the Greeks for “receipt”
— the praise of shallow men is receipt for payment in full.
That’s all they are going to get.
In
this materialistic world the truly spiritual man needs no “hippie”
medallion to “stand out.” Honesty, is a bonfire in an age of
dark dealings, and the Lord’s servant is conspicuous by his
absence from Satan’s party. Anyhow, we are striving for
recognition in heaven — remember!!
About
the man who parted his hair from ear-to-ear — we hear that fad
didn’t last long. He got tired of having people whisper in his
nose.
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