I’d Rather Be Thought Crazy Than Run Off of a Cliff

C.S. Lewis once said ““When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.” Jesus once prayed, saying of his followers

“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:14-19)

 So why do Christians say “It’s the way of the world” to justify their actions? Seriously. Just hear me out on a few examples: We allow our kids to do and say things so they can feel like they fit in, and then wonder where we went wrong when they do and say things the rest of the world is doing. We say “I don’t think Jesus would want me to make my neighbor feel uncomfortable” and then wonder why our witness isn’t that strong. I could go on, but I think this serves its purpose. Loved ones, we were never made to blend in to the world. We were not bought and paid for and raised from the dead with the precious blood of Christ so that we could emulate the world. We are in it.

Only so far as we must live in it do we have to make certain concessions as strangers, sojourners and exiles. But we’re headed to our true home with Christ. As pilgrims and exiles, let us seek to live at peace, but let us live in such a way that, no matter what and where we go, we’re honoring Christ and giving Him glory. Let us live like Christ commands, not as the world demands, and let us, God willing, by our words and examples, lead others to Him in whom we live differently. Let us share the Gospel, but let us live in such a way that the world knows that we are His! We were redeemed. We were sanctified and washed. We are new. Let us live accordingly.

Philippians 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.