You ever breathed a sigh of relief because people were able to “accept” you being a Christian?

If so, think about that for a second. You might be a tad too worldly. I’m talking to me too. I mean, really, when your concern becomes one of acceptance for being Christian or hoping to fit in as a Christian or hoping you integrate into a particular group or society… you’ve missed the point. That’s what the nonbelievers and the world seeks everyday! 

Acceptance. Right? People go through great lengths to fit in despite their differences of opinion or lifestyle. Or people just simply conform enough to fit it to some box. Sometimes they conform just to fit into their own skin. Acceptance drives society.

And in many cases, that’s okay. There are certain circumstances where you should conform and seek a level of acceptance… cases where it makes sense…

But a gospel believing Christian who has rendered obedience to God through Christ Jesus all but threw acceptance out of the window. Because following Jesus openly AND behind closed doors is a blessing, not only to the believer, but the nonbeliever. 

Our faith isn’t to be mingled with a desire for acceptance. In other words, no disrespect, but WE CARE LESS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT OUR BEING CHRISTIAN IS ACCEPTED. See, that’s the sharp contrast. Many groups and ideals and lifestyles fight for this very thing and force others to ACCEPT. 

But no. Acceptance isn’t the goal. That’s why Jesus took the beatings and the persecution and the cross. That’s why the martyrs and apostles took the persecution. That’s why many believers, even in the entertainment industry take the exclusion from limelight and mainstream venues. Because, to be honest,  being set apart is what makes the Chrsitian life MEAN SOMETHING.

And when it means something to us to the point conformity and acceptance is of no value, then it begins to mean something to the one who DOES NOT BELIEVE. I cannot seek to be a part of something that closely resembles where I am now. And that is where some of us have missed the point. This is why some people have felt more comfortable to try Jesus out and still remain as though they were not following him. 

There is no distinction!

And what then is Holy? If It is not set apart?

Being unapologetically holy highlights the true value that being a child of the living God HAS. There is no value in being so encumbered with acceptance that the line of distinction between believer and nonbeliever is blurred. 

You’re not doing yourself any favors and you not doing the nonbeliever any favors either.

Because ultimately in everybody’s mad desire to be accepted by everybody else, we will miss the goal to be acceptable to GOD.

So Christianity is different. It has to be. We should not seek acceptance. We should seek to be as different as living God’s word makes us. This makes us holy and acceptable to God. Nonbelievers, it is that distinction that makes being a Christian mean something, thus leading the nonbeliever  to repentance and then being holy and acceptable to God.

In Christ, don’t be accepted. Be Holy.