#LiveAsBlessed
1 Peter 3:8-9
"It's the way we maintain our relationships that makes Christians stand out as different in their world."
You know, it's hard to stand out as "different" in your world without coming across as weird or as a total geek. Some try it with the kind clothes they wear. Others do it with the kind of transportation they use (think Amish buggy here). Some do it with the size of the bible they carry (big, black and definitely King Jimmy). Not a few seek to make it evident by the things they stand against; fill in the blank on this one, "Doing _____ is sin!" Or, "REAL Christians don't _____!"
But if you are an exile for the sake of the Cross of Jesus, what is it that REALLY makes you stand out as "different" in your world?
Peter would say, "It's the way we maintain our relationships that makes Christians stand out as different in their world." Now THERE is a novel idea! People who treat people different, people who react to offensive people different, people who absorb injuries rather than reflexively retaliate are different.
• Citizens that, even when they disagree with leadership direction, respond with respect and pray rather than curse.
• Laborers who do their job as though they were laboring for a higher Boss.
• Societal outcasts who speak blessing when their "rights" are walked all over.
• Spouses who continue to love and respect even when love is not reciprocated.
• Members of a church who refuse to walk away just because things don't unfold exactly the way they desire them to be.
Peter would say, "It's the way we maintain our relationships that makes Christians stand out as different in their world!"
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 
—1 Peter 3:8-9
"We all agreed that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it."
—C.S. Lewis
The forgiven are the forgiving; now THAT will make you stand out as different in your world!
See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom