When Jesus walked this earth, he didn’t do with things the way people expected. Even his disciples we’re taking aback by his way of doing things. He didn’t fit the mold of what they thought the Messiah would be.
Gods values are often the opposite of what the world’s values are. As Christ followers we have to distance our self from what the world values and that can be a painful process.
The struggle is real.
| The world’s way | God’s way |
| To gain money and things | To give away money and things |
| To exalt yourself | Humble yourself |
| Depend on yourself | Depend on God |
| Satisfy the desires of your flesh | Crucify the fleshly desires |
| Listen to your heart. | Listen to God’s voice |
The world says….
God says
If you feel odd in this world, then that’s a good sign. You are not of this world. You are a subject of a kingdom that is spiritual and spiritual values often conflict with worldly values. If people don’t understand you, then you are in good company because they had a hard time understanding Jesus and his disciples and even they killed all, but one.
“But you belong to God, dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit that lives in the world.” 1John 4:4
The apostle John offered us some encouragement for when troubles came our way:
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14:1-3 NLT
Following Jesus 