His Role Model is different from the world's, very different. Almost exactly opposite, in fact. Jesus says do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The world says, Do others before they can do it to you. Be smart, and clever and cunning, and you will be rich and famous and powerful. Jesus says the least among you will be the greatest. The world says successful are those who have servants. Jesus says be a servant. The world says get advanced degrees so you can be outstandingly intelligent and understand impossibly complex concepts. Jesus says, except you become as a little child, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. The world says look good, smell good, speak well, spend time and money on physical attractiveness. Jesus says the heart is all that counts; do not judge by outward appearnaces. The world says take care to keep your finances secure. Jesus says lay up treasures for yourself in heaven because your soul may be required of you this night. The world says practice your philantropy where all the world can see; Jesus says, Do your alms in secret to benefit the ones who really need it, like the hungry, the homeless, the sick and in prison. Inasmuch as you have done it to the "least of these," you've done it unto Me. The world says enlarge the borders of your garments; pray and fast in public. Let the world see how religious you are. Jesus says if you do that, you will have already received your reward. The world says by all means, get; Jesus says by all menas, give. The world says if somebody hurts you, get revenge. Jesus says if someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other. If someone takes your coat, give him your cloak also. If he compels you to walk with him one mile, go with him two. The The world says put your aged parents in a nursing home long before it is necessary; Jesus says honor your parents that you may live long on the earth. Jesus says blessed are the peacemakers and the pure in heart and the meek and poor in spirit, none of whom the world cares much about.
If a Christian does his human best to follow the precepts of Jesus, believe me, he will not only look different, he will be different. As a city set on a hill cannot be hidden, so a true Christian will quietly shine with an unmistakable glow in a dark world because he is not of the world. Jesus says you cannot serve two masters; you are either for Him or against Him. Scripture says the apostles turned the "world upside down" with their preaching. That is because the world's value system is wrong side up with opposite goals and opposite interests. For those reasons a Christian is compelled to be different because his Lord is different.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
Read more articles by Aline Edson or search for articles on the same topic or others.
Aline,
You articulated the dichotomy between the world's value system and that of the Christian. The problem we face internally is that each of us has been the victim of the world's programming long before we are capable of reasoning. I try, albeit feebly, to capture this contrast in my own articles, usually by tongue-in-cheek humor or analogy. You stated the issue boldly in this piece.
We see examples each day but the world's values are inherent within us and so commonplace, we rarely recognize the stark departure from the Lord's methods.
Keep it coming, Aline.
Austin
