I love apples! I would say they are in my top 5 favorite fruits to eat. However, even I who love apples would find it strange seeing an apple tree in an orange grove.
An orange grove is established specifically for the growth, harvesting, packaging and sale of oranges. Farmers sometimes strategically grow other plants in the orange grove to aid in soil nourishment, biological warfare against potential pests or to enhance fruit production. Still, an apple tree would be an odd sight if it didn’t serve any of these purposes.
In this instance, the apple tree bears the weight of peculiarity. A similar weight we bear as Christians. Our lives in Christ are comparable to the apple tree as our renewed nature consequently produces fruit that is not consistent with those in the world.
A peculiar people
1st Peter chapter 2 verse 9 states “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”. Though this truth is well documented in the scripture, I just cannot ignore how surprisingly nervous I am about being peculiar.
It takes faith to nurture and persist in this renewed nature, knowing that it makes me the “odd one” amongst my friends, co-workers, and family members.
To make matters worse, I am often ridiculed and reviled for being peculiar. Over time, it has become harder for me to “dare” to be different. However, as my faith grows, my desire to be set apart for the glory of Christ also grows. This presents a bitter-sweet reality for believers, like me, who desire to become mature.
Peculiarity means more than what we think it means
We are peculiar because of the spirit’s work inside of us. The difference between apples and oranges stems from differences in the essence (genome) of their seed. We are not peculiar because we don't; support abortion, racism or LGBTQ, have tattoos on our skins or listen to “secular” music.
We became peculiar the very moment we chose to obey Christ and not conform to the ways of this world. We dare to be different because we are encouraged (propelled) by the Holy Spirit to do so. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians chapter 2 verse 13).
Remaining peculiar
Therefore, we seek to be different not just to break the status quo, be controversial or be complemented by men. It is our God-given desire to please Him which sets us apart. Hence, an evaluation of our peculiarity shouldn’t be limited to how many pro-life, anti-LGBTQ, anti-racism initiatives we have participated in; but, how much we desire to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Knowing this has led me to believe that being peculiar is less about what I do and more about Who is leading me to do what I do. This means that for me to remain peculiar, I must nurture my faith in Christ. If what I am doing jeopardizes that, then I miss the point of what it means to be a “Peculiar person”.
I will admit that there is much more to learn and appreciate about being peculiar. This is evident in my fear of the costs we bear for being different. Which leaves me to think, what is the cost of our Peculiarity in Christ?
Peculiarity in Christ may be undervalued by many in the world, but it ain’t cheap
Living as children of light in a crooked generation has its challenges. As soldiers, our war rages all day long. As foreigners, our longing for home persists. As faithful followers of Christ, we carry our cross in every journey, at every corner, in every facet of our lives.
As we continue to live for Christ, the challenges we face as believers may cause us to think that the true cost of our peculiarity in Christ is our own lives on this earth. However, the cost of our peculiarity in Him isn’t our life, but His.
He died so we may be children of light.
He died so that a renewed Spirit would be in us.
He died so that we may escape the patterns of this world which promises destruction.
He died so that we could be Peculiar.
Whenever we are called to count the cost of our obedience to Christ, be reminded that it cost him His life for us to obey. That’s the weight of our Peculiarity in Christ! We are peculiar because it's no longer we who live but Christ who lives in us.
It is for this very reason; Paul encourages us to rejoice always! (1st Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 16). For the more we bear the weight of our peculiarity in Christ, the more we are like him.
Bearing this in mind, I am happy knowing that being different for Christ’s sake isn’t something to be feared, but be embraced and hopeful about. I pray that I and you (my readers) will continue to appreciate this truth as we continue to live as followers of Christ.
Have a merry Christmas and a God-centered New year.