You Should Be Pretty Weird

You Should Be Pretty Weird


Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2 New International Version


I have heard it said that Christians are no different than anyone else. I imagine they mean that Christians get angry, get divorced, cheat on their spouses, curse, drive erratically and are generally insensitive to the needs of others. I also imagine they mean that Christians participate in Cancer walks, volunteer at the local soup kitchen, care for those less fortunate and spread cheer to others. If all of that is true, then what’s the point? Why become a believer when one is no different from the other? Both can screw up a one car parade and both can do wonderful works to better the lives of others. But, according to this verse, believers should not be the same as the rest of the people on the planet.

The Bible says that we are peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). According to the Bible, we should stand out in an uncharacteristic way because we belong to God. If you examine your life, your friends, your family, are they peculiar or weird in some way? Okay, loaded question. Are they weird in a God centered sort of way? As in, do the details of their lives reflect who God is? Our version of love, which should be a mini version of God’s love, ought to stand out in an extraordinary way. As an example, how we believers treat our enemies should be in stark contrast to the way others behave in the same circumstances. Maybe another way of putting it is to say that others should see our actions as uncanny or strange. Why? Because we mimic a God whose behavior is not like anyone else’s. If you are growing into being the likeness of Christ, you should be different and you should be a little weird.