Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

In the days of Noah, we see evil raging in the hearts of man, people going in the opposite direction of God’s ways. However, Noah was one who was trying to follow God. He was doing the opposite of what everyone else was doing. He was good and righteous in the eyes of God.

In this day and age, similar to the days of Noah, when evil is raging through the hearts of man, we have a desperate need for people to be different. This idea of being set apart is not one of the attributes that we adore and love as Christians. We are prone and attracted to blend in and conform to the thoughts and actions of those around us. We don’t want to go against the norm in fear of being an outcast. To briefly touch on this, I believe that is why it’s very important to find a Church locally, so that you’re encouraged with accountability and example to be apart from the world.

Furthermore, as you refuse to conform to the world, you may become a target for hatred. However, it is not the world who is lashing out against you, it is Satan. Through deceit and malice, Satan tries to turn everyone away from God. You are a threat to his kingdom of darkness.

To be set apart means to act and think differently. It means God chose you specifically for a purpose to bring light and love into the world but not be of the world. As a Christian, you are chosen to live a life that glorifies God in all that you do and say. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 states: “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

The Bible gives us perfect explanations of what not to be of, and it also gives us a living example of who to strive to be, Jesus. He himself gives us plenty of instruction on how to live a Godly life.

We are called to live a life of being different and set apart from the world. We are not called to blend in among the thorns but to stand out differently than the rest of the crowd. The Church as a whole has been called to be set apart and be holy as God is holy. You won’t gain approval from the world but there is a far greater award awaiting you.