When I was a music major at Arkansas Tech University, I really only hung out with music majors. I listened to choral music (I was a vocal music major), operas, and other different forms of classical music. I didn’t listen to it all the time, but I did listen to it quite a bit. In fact, I still listen to classical music at times. But when I pulled up at my job I might get weird looks. I mean who pulls up to their job washing dishes at Cracker Barrel with Eric Whitacre blaring? I was the odd one. Most people don’t do that.
So, what is my point?
When people spend a lot of time with other people who are very like-minded they forget that not everyone thinks the same way they do. I was surrounded by other people who were educated the same way that I was educated and participated in the same activities that I did. In reality, only a small percentage of people experience those things. I was the odd one.
I have oftentimes been amazed when Christians are shocked that their viewpoints are not shared by everyone. Know this well. Our convictions are not shared by everyone and that should be abundantly clear by now. What needs to be understood is that we are the ones that are different. We are the ones who are weird. We are the ones who don’t fit into the system within this world. Christians, we are the weird ones.
I’m Rescued From The World And Am The Weird One
We tend to forget that Christianity is not the norm. In fact, our being believers is because God has rescued us out of the world. The world doesn’t see things like we do because we are not really a part of this world. John says it this way in 1 John 3:1-3.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies Himself as He is pure.” – 1 John 3:1-3 ESV
Here is the point. We are not like everyone else. In a lot of ways we are not the same as the culture that surrounds us. The world does not know us, we are different. It is the same reason that Peter says that Christians are “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:11). I’ve been rescued from the world and it is me who is the weird one.
Christians should never be shocked when a non-believer acts in a way that is different from their morality. For, we are the ones who are different. It is a good thing, but it should not shock us.
I Am Supernaturally Made Weird
The miracle that God works in the life of a believer makes him seem odd to the onlooking world…and it’s supposed to do that. The theological term is called “regeneration” or “the new birth”. It is a supernatural work of God to change our heart’s desires. We go from loving our selves far too much, the world, and the things of this world to loving and desiring to serve the Lord. This supernatural change causes us to be different, and thus the weird ones. (Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 1:13; John 3:1-36; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 1:23; Titus 3:5; 1 John 3:9; 1 John 5:1-4).
My Allegiance Makes Me Weird
My allegiance is no longer where it once was, it is to Jesus. My allegiance is to the Kingdom of Heaven and because of this I am different. Richard Baxter stated this very well,
We are here made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men: as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things, men separate us from their company, and reproach us, and cast out our names as evil; but we shall then be as much gazed at for our glory, and they will be shut out of the church of the saints, and separated from us, whether they will or not. We can now scarce pray in our families, or sing praises to God, but our voice is a vexation to them: how must it torment them, then, to see us praising and rejoicing while they are howling and lamenting! You, brethren, who can now attempt no work of God without losing the love of the world, consider, you shall have none in Heaven but will further your work, and join heart and voice with you in your everlasting joy and praise. Till then, possess ye your souls in patience. Bind all reproaches as a crown to your heads. Esteem them greater riches than the world’s treasures. “It is a righteous thing with God to recompense to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled, rest with Christ.”-Richard Baxter, The Saint’s Everlasting Rest; Kindle Location 702
Throughout history it has often been the case that Christians have been seen as the enemies of their culture. Christians were hated in their beginnings because they were considered atheists. It seems weird, but they rejected the Roman Pantheon of gods. Since they believed in the One True God and no others they were considered atheists, and hated for it. And this tradition continues even to today as Christians are considered to many to be the worst people around. Our presence angers many, but as Baxter pointed out this is just how it is. But we rest in the hope of our coming home.
Maybe You Should Get Out More
I think that the reason that many of us do not understand how odd we are is because we don’t venture outside of our circle enough to realize it. If you spend time closed off in your small group then you simply do not understand how things are outside of your circle. And, as believers, we are called to get out more.
We are people who have been given a mission to go and deliver the good news of Jesus Christ to the nations. How are you going to do that if you only hang out with your like-minded friends? So, get out more and see just how weird you are, but as you do so invite others to be weird with you. Talk to them about the glorious salvation that has been given to us through the perfect and finished work of Christ.
R. Dwain Minor
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