Dare to Be Different!

080929

06-05-01

Imagine walking the crowded streets of Times Square in New York City. Blinding lights mounted on colorful billboards flood the area, transforming the night into a gaudy circus. Towering glass skyscrapers reach high into the sky, reflecting light like prisms. Storefront windows line the sidewalks, advertising clothing, electronics, jewelry and other trinkets stacked from floor to ceiling.

Passing by are hundreds of people: Tourists, police officers, vendors and locals, young and old, clamor over one another, moving in different directions, creating a deafening noise. Peering farther down the street you see hundreds more coming toward you, a tidal wave of humanity. The street is lined with cars, bumper to bumper, honking to navigate the busy intersections. The trail of brake lights lining the road seems to go on endlessly.

This is an easy location to blend into the crowd. A person is just another face in a sea of faces filling the street for blocks. But there is a special distinction between you and the maddening rush around you. It is not one that you can see, hear, smell or taste, but it is real.

An opportunity has been offered to you. One so profound it transcends any physical prospect you could hope to achieve. This opportunity—to learn about your Creator and the life He intends—is one that few have.

However, this opportunity is not without its own set of unique challenges. Differences between you and the crowd present a test that, if passed, can bring incredible blessings and allow for a more fulfilling future.

An Opportunity For Those Set Apart

Those who are baptized and begin to understand God’s way of life become what the Bible calls the Ekklesia or “the called out ones.” Each time the word “Church” is mentioned in the New Testament, this phrase could be inserted instead. This Church is a group of people that is called out—separate.

But what are they called out of?

Notice John 15:19: “If you were of the world, the world would love his own…but I have chosen you out of the world…” The Church is called out of the world!

I Peter 2:9 speaks of the members of the Church: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Members of the Church are selected by God to hold a special position and be an example to others.

Together, these two verses show that the Church is a special group of people called out of the world. They have a great calling, since they have been given spiritual insight that those living in “darkness” do not have.

But there is another group with the Church. They are not yet baptized, but are sanctified by God, and have the chance to have this same understanding. “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy” (I Cor. 7:14). Even though they are not yet considered members of the Church, they can receive His blessings. According to God, any unbaptized young person with a believing parent is different from the world and has the same marvelous opportunity to know Him and live His way of life. Ultimately, they could become one of His children and rule the entire universe in the kingdom of God.

This opportunity is not offered by God lightly. He presents it only to a select few on earth and expects them to act on it.

Just imagine. Of all the people surrounding you on the streets of that city, who wouldn’t love to understand the way to a fulfilling life? But it is not something that God has granted them at this time. In that sea of faces, only you can potentially fully understand God’s plan for mankind and have the ability to act upon it. Whether you do this is your decision.

Acting on this opportunity is not without difficulty. God will not just give great blessings to anyone. He requires dedication and effort to claim these promises.

Shining in a Dark World!

To seize this opportunity, you must obey the Ten Commandments—laws set up by God that define man’s conduct. The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, are the foundation of all God’s laws. Keeping these will bring peace and order to one’s life.

A quick survey of the crowd that surrounds you makes it apparent that most people are not concerned with keeping God’s laws. The businessman who shoves his way through the crowd, with his cellphone attached to one ear, moves as though he has no concern for anyone. The group of youths standing against the storefront wall—with pants hanging down to their knees—cast “cool” and disinterested looks, sometimes yelling at anyone who moves too close to them. Then there are the street hawkers, briskly selling stolen or bootlegged versions of movies from a folded blanket just behind you, down the alley.

Romans 12:2 states, “And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Christians are not to be like the world. They are acting on what is right in the sight of God.

Notice Matthew 5:14: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.” Those in the Church are striving to live up to God’s standards. They do not blend in with crowds; they stand out as lights—shining in a world of darkness.

Christian conduct becomes apparent when one keeps these laws. This is not something that should be hidden and should not cause you to be ashamed. Being courteous, well-mannered and honest shows others something much greater—godly conduct.

A Test Commandment

Abiding by God’s laws sets apart those following Him—makes them different. While it is easy to avoid committing murder or stealing, there is a law which is more difficult to keep. This commandment presents a unique test to God’s people, baptized or not. It is the fourth commandment—keeping the Sabbath.

The Sabbath is a special day to God. He worked six full days re-creating the earth and then declared the seventh day a time of special rest. In Genesis 2:1-3, God describes its creation: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

God sanctified this day by resting and reflecting on His creation. This law was taught to the ancient Israelites in Exodus 20:8-11: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shall you labor, and do all your work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it you shall not do any work…For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

By hallowing this day and resting, God gave Christians an example to follow. On this day, He expects them to also stop and reflect as He did.

This is a test for most since they don’t normally think of any time as belonging to God. They are accustomed to doing what they want—when they want. How many times have vendors worked their corners in Times Square on Sabbath evening? How many groups of young people have gone to parties at the latest comedy club on Friday night? How many busloads of tourists have spent time and money in many of the superstores lining these city streets Saturday afternoon?

Since God created man and mandated the Sabbath, only He can tell us what we should do on that day. God knew exactly what mankind needed most after a long week of work. He knows that man was designed to need rest after six days. Because of this, He wants all men to stop, rest and reflect on what was given to him. He wants them to be thankful for the activity of the past week, but not to work further. He knew people would need to remove themselves from their hectic schedules and meditate on man’s incredible potential.

In Isaiah 58:13-14, God gives an outline for the Sabbath: “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words: Then shall you delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”

As instructed, God does not want us to focus on ourselves, but to reflect on Him and the purpose He is working out on earth. By studying His word, mankind can better understand His nature. While He has instructed us to rest, there are plenty of engaging and enjoyable activities to do on the Sabbath.

• Meditate on precision in creation. This could include learning more about plants and animals or taking a short walk. Remember, it shouldn’t turn into an arduous hike and take away from the restful focus of the day.
• Enjoying time with family members or others in the Church can be extremely edifying. Many times in our fast-paced lives there are not enough chances to spend time with family; use this time to talk, focusing on God’s principles and how they could apply during the week.
• Watch or read about current news. Christ instructed to always watch world events. It is not wrong to look into newspapers to see what is happening in the world. Think about how each event could relate to prophecy. Keep in mind balance when doing this. Don’t spend all day reading the news. Instead, focus on biblical principles and how they apply in these situations.
• Speak with other young people in the Church. Many times great distances separate brethren. The Sabbath is a great time to talk with them. Young people often experience similar situations, and it is helpful to learn from each other’s situations.

There are many other activities one could do on the Sabbath, but these guidelines can help you fully appreciate the time God set aside to focus on Him and His way of life. He promises that by remembering this time, He will greatly bless anyone who sincerely keeps this day. His promises include physical rest and other blessings too numerous to count.

In Exodus 31:13, God describes the Sabbath: “Verily My Sabbaths you shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the Lord that does sanctify you.” The most important aspect of keeping the Sabbath is having the proper attitude. If it is not viewed as a special day, then it likely isn’t being kept correctly. Take the time to recognize that as the sun is setting, so are the worries and concerns of the week. It is time to rest and focus on a much grander purpose.

Apart From the Crowd

Now imagine yourself back in the middle of Times Square. Hundreds of people are moving about, and none of them have the understanding you do. They have no idea about the purpose of the Sabbath—how it is a chance to set aside daily concerns and focus on their relationship with the Creator. They know nothing of the Sabbath being God’s gift to them and providing a much needed day of rest. They know nothing of following God’s laws to live a happy and fulfilling life.

But you do!

Of all in these crowds, you have the opportunity to act on what God is teaching and grasp what is before you. You can overcome any difficulties by living this way of life, and this will set you apart from those around you.

Dare to be different!

Also in this issue…

• Drug Abuse – Facing the Problem
• How Do You Cope With Information Overload?
• Learning to Dance