The Church Does The Most For The World When it is Least Like The World <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By Shane Idleman
 A youth pastor once said this to me as we were discussing the topic of entertainment. I wasn't surprised when I learned that MTV was one of his favorite programs:
"A Christian 'has to' wear, listen to, and watch certain things; we need to break this cookie-cutter version of Christianity. We should show the attractive side of Christianity and not be so extreme."
Although we definitely want to relate to others, our lifestyle should reflect our core convictions. This does not mean that we should be prudish and conceited, but real, humble, and loving. They'll know that we are Christians by our love and by our convictions, not by how well we imitate the world around us. I seldom hear non-Christians say, "I'm turned off by Christianity because my Christian friends are too selective with what they view and listen to," but I often hear, "Christians who say one thing and do another really turn me off."
Guarding your mind isn't just a good idea, it's absolutely necessary when it comes to overcoming the battle within and preserving your testimony. There's an enormous difference between witnessing and being a witness. Aside from guarding ourselves, you never know who might be watching. A compromised life sends a compromised message. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) states, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." Everything? Yes, everything! What you think provides the framework for who you become. But be clear on this as well: don't think that because you struggle in this area that you do not have a relationship with Christ. We all struggle. The lack of holiness in a professing Christian's life does not necessarily mean that they don't have a relationship with Christ, as some may suggest. Salvation is not determined by a sliding scale. 
The church does the most for the world when it is least like the world. Did you catch that? Christians do the most for the world when they are the least like the world. One reason why Christianity does not appeal to society is not because it's unattractive in the truest sense of the word, but because society does not want the Christ that they see in many Christians. Removing the "cookie-cutter" example set forth in the Bible is not the answer; returning to it is. One of the most common questions on the minds of many today is "why would we want Christ when we don't want the Christ that we see in others?"

Granted, the church was not created to manufacture Christians that look the same way and act the same way; it's our differences that make us unique. But we must also understand that being accepted and liked by others isn't necessarily an indicator that we are following Jesus' example; often rejection is. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). And in II Timothy 3:12, the apostle Paul reveals that "all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

Don't get me wrong, legalism, spiritual arrogance, and religious bondage turn as many people away as does lukewarm living, but it's risky to show people one side of Christianity and not the other. Although salvation is a free gift from God, discipleship requires responsibility on our part. In our zeal to lead people to Christ, we often paint a false picture of discipleship, or water it down altogether. I don't want to make this issue bigger than it is, but I also don't want to minimize it. Jesus didn't say, "Follow me and you won't have to change anything"; He said, deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Me (Matthew 16:24). Jesus wants us to understand what's involved when we follow Him. (Check out Luke 14:25-35.)  
Oswald Chambers offers this perspective, "[Jesus] never pleaded, He never entrapped; He made discipleship intensely narrow, and pointed out certain things which could never be in those who followed Him."22 Chambers also said, "The words of the Lord hurt and offend until there is nothing left to hurt and offend. Jesus Christ has no tenderness whatever toward anything that is ultimately going to ruin a man in the service of God."
 This excerpt was taken from What Works for Young Adults-Solid Choices In Unstable Times, © 2007 by El Paseo Publications (www.elpaseopublications.com). Shaneidleman@roadrunner.com.