Friday, November 25, 2005
We Are a Peculiar People
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9. KJV
Recently I posed the following question to a group of friends, “do we as Christians often use phrases, or terms that could be confusing to someone who has not studied the word of God?” As I gave this topic a little more thought, I realized that it is not only how they speak that make Christians seem different, but it is also reflected in the things they do.
An example that came to mind was a few years ago, some of my Christians sisters and I had gone out to celebrate my birthday. We were all having a good time laughing and dancing to oldies style music. Then the tone of the music changed and a song came on which was offensive to women.
I immediately left the dance floor. Suddenly, I realized that each of my friends had also done the same thing. We later laughed about it because none of us had planned or talked about doing anything like that. Since we were children of God, we all felt the same way. We could not as Christian women condone the message in that type of music.
Christians often do or say things the rest of the world just cannot understand. They read the bible or religious books because they want to. They listen to gospel music or a recorded sermon in the middle of the week. They praise God even when things around them may not be going right.
The NIV bible interprets the aforementioned scripture this way: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Very often Christian’s speak in terms or in a language that may be indistinguishable to others who may not be familiar with the word of God. A question a friend had asked brought this to my attention. She asked, “What does favor mean?
Without hesitation, my response was “looked upon with favor or blessed with certain advantages because of God’s grace.” My friend posed the question because people were constantly asking about her license plate. This particular friend has a vanity license plate that reads, “favrd.” The response of some who have read the license plate on more than one occasion has been one of bewilderment.
Upon further discussion with other Christians, I determined that non-Christians can become confused by this spiritual banter. It is not that Christians mean to or even recognize their conversation may have changed and that others around them may no longer be involved in their discussion. It is not because they stopped speaking English or started speaking in tongues or in Latin.
They do not make up words or embellish conversations. They simply speak the truth and interject words, similes, and metaphors into their speech. They do not intent to leave others out of their discussions but rather, take for granted everyone knows what they are referencing.
Let us examine some of this confusing banter. The first example is, “Going into my Prayer closet.” (Time for prayer and meditation). Next, “Peace be still.” (Trust in the Lord, have faith that it is in His hands.) “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” (Nothing meant to harm me will be successful.) There are many more we could examine, but I believe this justifies my statement.
Christians are simply taking what they have learned about the word of God and are applying it to their everyday lives and interjecting these types of statements into their speech and thought process. Upon further examination, we find all have been commanded by the word of God to do exactly that. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
What may seem peculiar to the rest of the world is the thing all Christians should be striving and trying to become. A Chosen people.
Recently I posed the following question to a group of friends, “do we as Christians often use phrases, or terms that could be confusing to someone who has not studied the word of God?” As I gave this topic a little more thought, I realized that it is not only how they speak that make Christians seem different, but it is also reflected in the things they do.
An example that came to mind was a few years ago, some of my Christians sisters and I had gone out to celebrate my birthday. We were all having a good time laughing and dancing to oldies style music. Then the tone of the music changed and a song came on which was offensive to women.
I immediately left the dance floor. Suddenly, I realized that each of my friends had also done the same thing. We later laughed about it because none of us had planned or talked about doing anything like that. Since we were children of God, we all felt the same way. We could not as Christian women condone the message in that type of music.
Christians often do or say things the rest of the world just cannot understand. They read the bible or religious books because they want to. They listen to gospel music or a recorded sermon in the middle of the week. They praise God even when things around them may not be going right.
The NIV bible interprets the aforementioned scripture this way: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Very often Christian’s speak in terms or in a language that may be indistinguishable to others who may not be familiar with the word of God. A question a friend had asked brought this to my attention. She asked, “What does favor mean?
Without hesitation, my response was “looked upon with favor or blessed with certain advantages because of God’s grace.” My friend posed the question because people were constantly asking about her license plate. This particular friend has a vanity license plate that reads, “favrd.” The response of some who have read the license plate on more than one occasion has been one of bewilderment.
Upon further discussion with other Christians, I determined that non-Christians can become confused by this spiritual banter. It is not that Christians mean to or even recognize their conversation may have changed and that others around them may no longer be involved in their discussion. It is not because they stopped speaking English or started speaking in tongues or in Latin.
They do not make up words or embellish conversations. They simply speak the truth and interject words, similes, and metaphors into their speech. They do not intent to leave others out of their discussions but rather, take for granted everyone knows what they are referencing.
Let us examine some of this confusing banter. The first example is, “Going into my Prayer closet.” (Time for prayer and meditation). Next, “Peace be still.” (Trust in the Lord, have faith that it is in His hands.) “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” (Nothing meant to harm me will be successful.) There are many more we could examine, but I believe this justifies my statement.
Christians are simply taking what they have learned about the word of God and are applying it to their everyday lives and interjecting these types of statements into their speech and thought process. Upon further examination, we find all have been commanded by the word of God to do exactly that. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
What may seem peculiar to the rest of the world is the thing all Christians should be striving and trying to become. A Chosen people.
