Dare To Be Different

Matthew 5:47 - If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?  Even pagans do that.

Jesus' words here are so convicting.  God chose us and set us apart from the rest of the flock to be His representatives here on earth - to be special.  If we're doing all the same things as everyone else, how is that special.

Jesus also reminded us earlier to be humble (Matthew 5:5).  He wants us to remember we're special, but don't be prideful about it.  Prideful people are typically selfish people.  Selfish people don't share the love of Christ.  We have been told to go out in the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19), but to do that, we have to dare to be different.  We have to love like Jesus loves.  Accept that we are special because God tells us so, and share His love and His promises with everyone.  If we are only sharing with those we love...how is that different.  Jesus gave us the best example of this with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4).  Samaritans were hated by the Jews.  But Jesus shared His Good News of salvation with her, because that's what God wants.  What about the tax collectors?  Talk about people that had NO friends...one of them became an Apostle.

Dare to love everyone, go against the grain.  The Apostle Paul reminds us that three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).  Well put...

Dear Abba Father, thank You so much for making me special.  Thank You for putting it in my heart to love everyone, because that's what You did, and that's what You want for me and all of Your special and chosen people.  I pray that those who struggle to love everyone regardless will have their hearts softened and their resolve strengthened to follow Your will and purpose for their lives - to love everyone.  In Jesus' name, Amen!



God Bless!!!