A REFLECTION OF THE WORD OF GOD - A WEEKLY BLOG OF ENCOURAGEMENT -

A reflective moment from our Jurisdictional Prelate, Bishop Charlene M. Jamison

Joining with the averaged 133.5 million Super Bowl LIX (59) halftime show attendees, featuring Kendrick Lamar, one of the things that resonated with the world and even myself was the phrase, “They Not Like Us.” I have not had the pleasure of listening to the recorded song outside of the half time performance, but watching the many online memes and reading the social media commentary from the Super Bowl performance – stirred my spirit and got me to thinking.

In a world that often blurs the lines between right and wrong, the call for Christians to distinguish themselves as holy and set apart is more crucial than ever. Leviticus 10:10 (ESV) states, "You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean." This directive is not merely an ancient command but a timeless principle that should guide the lives of believers today. Regardless of how things go in the world, the Church must stand as a beacon of light, purposefully making a difference by upholding the standards of holiness and purity.

The world, with its ever-changing values and norms, often promotes a lifestyle that is contrary to the teachings of Christ. It is easy to get swept away by the currents of popular culture, which frequently glorify materialism, self-indulgence, and moral relativism. However, Christians are called to be in the world but not of it. This means that while we live and interact within society, our values, actions, and attitudes should reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ.

To make a difference, Christians must first understand what it means to be holy. Holiness is not about perfection but about being set apart for God's purposes. It involves a conscious effort to live according to God's commandments and to seek His will in all aspects of life. This includes personal conduct, relationships, and even the way we engage with those we encounter in our community. By striving for holiness, Christians demonstrate their commitment to God and provide a living testimony of His transformative power.

One practical way to distinguish between holy and unholy is through our speech and behavior. It is written in Colossians 4:6 (NLT), “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” The Bible teaches that our words have the power to build up or tear down. Therefore, Christians should be mindful of their language, avoiding gossip, slander, and coarse joking. Instead, our speech should be characterized by kindness, encouragement, and truth. Similarly, our actions should reflect integrity, compassion, and justice. By living out these values, we set ourselves apart from the world and point others to Christ.

Another important aspect of making a difference is through our relationships. The world often promotes relationships based on convenience and self-interest. In contrast, Christians are called to love others sacrificially, as Christ loved us. This means putting the needs of others before our own, forgiving those who wrong us, and seeking reconciliation. By having relationships that are rooted in love and grace, we create a stark contrast to the often-transactional nature of worldly interactions. When a Christian embodies the principles and characteristics of Christ, there is a visible difference that “They (the world is) Not Like Us!” We ( as believer’s in Jesus Christ) should: walk in the light (1 John 1:4), have a sensitivity to sin, repentance, and confession (1 John 1:8-10); keep God’s commands (1 John 2:3-4); walk as Christ walked (1 John 2:4-5); love other Christians, desire their fellowship, and seek to serve them in deed and truth (1 John 2:7); disdain for the world and because of our rejection of all that contradicts and opposes God’s nature and will (1 John 2:15-17); continue in the historic doctrines and practices of the Christian faith and remain within the fellowship of others who do the same (1 John 2:18-19); openly profess Christ to be God in the flesh and hold Him in the highest esteem (1 John 2:22-24 and 1 John 4:1-3, 13); live our lives as marked by a longing and practical pursuit of holiness (1 John 3:1-3); practice righteousness (1 John 2:28-29 and 1 John 3:4-10); keep our faith strong because we have the victory in Jesus because we have overcome the world (1 John 4:4-6 and 1 John 5:4-5); believe the things that God has revealed concerning His Son, Jesus Christ and we have eternal life in Him alone (1 John 5:9-12).

If we have these qualities, and they are increasing within us, we have evidence that we have come to know God and bear the fruit of a child of God. However, if these qualities are absent from our lives, we should have the greatest concern for our souls. We should be diligent to seek God regarding our salvation. We should reexamine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. We should be diligent to make our calling and election sure (2 Corinthians 13:5 and 2 Peter 1:8).

Moreover, the Church as a collective body has a significant role to play in making a difference. It should be a place where the values of the Kingdom of God are lived out and proclaimed. Read, Isaiah 58:1. This involves not only preaching the gospel but also engaging in acts of service and justice. The Church should be a refuge for the marginalized, a voice for the voiceless, and a source of hope for the hopeless. By embodying these principles, the Church can effectively demonstrate the difference between the holy and the unholy.

Finally, the call to distinguish between holy and unholy, clean and unclean, is a vital aspect of the Christian faith. Regardless of how things go in the world, the Church must purposefully make a difference by upholding the standards of holiness and purity. We can no longer bow our knees to the god of culture, for the sake of likes, views, impressions, friendships and anything else that can easily separate us from the true nature of the calling of the Almighty God. Through our speech, behavior, relationships, and collective actions, we can reflect the light of Christ and offer a compelling alternative to the ways of the world. By doing so, we fulfill our calling to be set apart for God's purposes and to make a lasting impact on the world around us and let the world know, when you come on the Lord’s side, “They Not Like Us!”