We Are Called To Be Set Apart

by McKayla Temple

 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” 

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do you have the courage to be different? For a long time, I tried to keep one foot in the world and one foot in my faith. But knowing God has shown me that following Jesus is supposed to look different. I’ve learned that I can’t entertain every environment and expect my heart to stay centered on Him. Sometimes following Jesus means choosing to be different from the world around me. According to Romans 12:2, our identity should be rooted in God's kingdom rather than worldly values or what is currently trending. 

If you are saved you are NOT normal. Fitting in is NOT the goal; faithfulness and obedience to God is. When the world looks at us who follow Jesus, we are to look, talk, and react differently. We are called to be holy. 

“Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 NIV

Being holy or set apart isn’t about superiority, but about belonging to God for a specific purpose. Not for self-righteousness but to represent God’s character to others. We who are holy engage in the world but are not part of it. Our mission is not to isolate but to bring the unsaved to Christ.

Let’s have the hard talk....I’ve experienced times where God had to prune certain friendships or habits out of my life, and that sanctification process can feel painful. We may face misunderstanding, rejection or intense pressure to conform to the world. Yet, even in those moments, we can be thankful because it reminds us that we are God's beloved. He has a plan for our life, greater than we can understand.

How do you handle conflict? Are you going to people or going around people? Are you quick to become defensive, offended, or assume the worst? Being set apart means the way we handle conflict should look different. Jesus didn’t call us to avoid the hard conversation. He called us to love people through honest communication.

 “You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.” Leviticus 20:26 NIV 

Being set apart means being willing to ask ourselves difficult questions. Does this honor God?  This isn’t about living perfectly, it’s about living surrendered.  The closer we get to Jesus the more He changes our desires, how we speak, how we respond, what we consume and how we love people. 

We aren’t called to blend in because we are lights. Lights that are noticeably different because of this dark world.

 “You are the light of the world, let your light shine before others and that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven”. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

Read this verse again. Jesus doesn’t say, try to become the light. He says you are the light. 

Our lives are meant to make Jesus visible through how we love, forgive, serve, show kindness, speak truth and live differently. The goal isn’t for people to look at us and think, Oh, how wonderful is she ..… no, it is to point others to God.  All glory belongs to Him only.

A parting thought: How does the way you live reflect the difference Jesus has made in your life?