What sets a Christian aside? That is the question we have been trying to answer on Thursday nights with our youth group. So far we have come up with four answers.
First of all a Christian must be known for his love for God and other people whatever their nationality, creed, skin color, or social status might be. (Mark 12:29-31)
Secondly, we should stand out because of our compassion. Compassion is a fundamental quality of God (Lamentations 3:22). Therefore, Christianity is the religion of compassion.
Honesty is another trait that sets a Christian aside. To be honest means we are truthful, upright and fair in dealing with others. The Bible teaches us to be honest in the business arena (Proverbs 16:11) and in our speech (Prov. 16:13; 24:26).
Finally, a Christian stands out because of his purity. To be pure means to be free from anything that contaminates. As the children of God we must be pure because He is pure. Jesus said that it is not what we eat that contaminates us but that which comes from our mouths. In other words, a Christian must be pure in his speech. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”.
Jesus taught us that what we think is also important. We can very easily sin with our thoughts. Therefore, it is critical that our thoughts are pure.
Above all, a Christian should stand out when it comes to sexual purity. It is very sad, but when it comes to sexual purity there is very little difference between those who claim to be Christians and those who don’t. Why is it that God’s word is no longer taken seriously among God’s people? “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Cor.10:13) This verse, as the rest of scripture, is true whether we act like it or not.
