"Love not the world, neither the things
that are in the world. If any man love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him." - I John 2:15

I spotted the difference almost immediately.

Many Sunday newspapers have a feature in the cartoon section  that shows two, nearly identical, scenes side by side. The object is for the reader to determine what is different in the drawing on the right hand side.

You know the ones that I am talking about. Maybe it's of a scene around the house. In that case, it might show a family busy around the living room in the left frame, and then in the right frame something will be added...the reader must spot the addition. Of course, it is cleverly disguised and hidden in the background somewhere.

The one that I spotted the difference almost immediately in showed a crowd of people on a busy street. As I quickly scanned the two scenes, noting the various activities of those in the drawing,  I noticed that there was an extra man in the drawing to the right!

That was the difference. I spotted him because, even though he was surrounded by many other people, he stood out in the crowd.

Christian, you and I should likewise stand out. There should be something about us that grabs others' attention and draws them to Christ. They should be able to see an expression on our faces that reveals the joy in our hearts. When hardships come, those around us ought to see peace that passes understanding.

Oh yes, my friend, we should stick out. We should be different...

...and, it's a difference that others should spot almost immediately!

Not only should those around us be able to see compassion in our actions and genuine love in our lives and all of those things that Christ does in our hearts, they should also be able to see us  abstaining from those things that the crowd often participates in.

That's right, my brothers and sisters in Christ, we should stand out in the crowd simply because we don't follow the crowd to the R- rated movies; simply because we don't mingle with the crowd when it means missing a Church related activity; simply because we are not part of the crowd that gossips, tells off-color jokes or is constantly complaining, criticizing, arguing and expressing bitterness and ill will.

No, we wear the Name of Christ Jesus...and that means we are to be different! They should be able to see it in what we do, but also in what we don't do.

My friend, what about it? Are you a Christian who blends into the background, one whose relationship with Christ is cleverly disguised and hidden beneath the surface...

...or, are you the kind of Christian who gets noticed because of a life surrendered completely to the Lord?

Can the difference be spotted in your life?

Have a "Wonderful DAY in Christ,"
Jimmy D. Brown
\o/ Praise Jesus!