What's The Difference?

Photo by Pana Vasquez on Unsplash

Set apart. Set apart. Set apart.

It's all that Christians are told we're supposed to be. But what does that look like? What are we supposed to be setting ourselves apart from?

"The world, of course" - someone replies. It's the default answer of any good Christian kid who's spent a decent time in Sunday School during their formative years. The kid who hangs out with the good crowd - probably comprised of fellow Christians or a ministry branch planted in their school.

It's the only group he's ever known, you see. They laugh together, worship together, do Bible studies together. They listen to one another as they pour out their hearts. Comforting and encouraging one another that "the race isn't finished" or to "count it all joy when you face trials". Through his tight circle of friends, he grew to love Scripture and listen to sermons. His Spotify playlist is comprised of ONLY Christian artists - Chris Tomlin, Hillsong, this one Christian band that not a lot of people know about (but makes for great study music). Okay, maybe some Relient K.

Every so often, his ministry group puts up small evangelistic events in school where they try to invite new people. He's never actually had a chance to invite anyone, since the only people he talks to at school are fellow Christians. He attends the event anyway to see his friends and worship. He joins a breakout group at the end of the service and offers his insight on the message. He has no plans to stay afterwards for fellowship and get to know the newcomers - after all, it is a school night and he needs to study for his finals. He reasons that he needs to be a good steward of his parents' investment.

One time, the group caught wind of a popular ministry adding his city onto a worship concert tour. He is ecstatic and immediately goes to tell his friends. They book tickets, they arrange for carpool, and all go together.

The arena is packed. It's almost as if people from the whole city came to attend. He marvels at the work the Lord is doing. He doesn't bother introducing himself to the girl sitting beside him. She looks like another good Christian girl who came to the event with her church group. Their eyes meet, they smile, and then no more. She whips out her phone to snap a photo for her Instagram, while he turns his back on her and asks his group where they're all eating after the event.

At the right hour, the lights dim and smoke fills the room. Some silhouettes scuffle onto the stage and take their places behind their respective instruments. All of a sudden, the big opening number commences - it's a popular worship song that they sing at church. He knows this one. He sings loudly, raises his hands and jumps around. Next the band plays a cover of an old hymn. He doesn't know this one well enough, but after seeing some of his friends sing along to it, he makes a mental note to add it into his playlist later tonight. After a few songs, the teacher they came to see emerges and there is loud cheering all across the arena. "God loves you!" were his opening words. More claps and cheers were heard. They were asked to take their seats and the teacher began his speech. It was short but stirring. The teacher didn't even need a Bible to get his point across - all the verses the teacher needed were either on the giant LED screen or memorized. At some point, our good Christian kid wished he was able to recite verses or answer tough questions about the Bible the same way this teacher does. He wonders why he hasn't been able to do so by now.

A tap on his shoulder distracts him from the thought; the leader of his group motions for them to leave. He is puzzled - "But the teacher isn't done talking. We haven't sung the last song yet. Why are we leaving now?"

"Because we wanna beat the foot traffic and get out of the arena smoothly. The parking garages are sure to be packed too" his friend responds. "Ah! Such wisdom" - he thinks to himself. They all pick up their things and start walking. He sees a few others in the room do the same thing. Perhaps they all had the same idea?

As they leave the arena, they come across a homeless person outside begging for food. He tries to avoid eye contact as much as possible. As they pass him, they see a couple walking down the street who stop to give the man some change and the takeout they had in hand. He is relieved that the Lord takes care of those in need.

He gets home, goes to bed, and gets ready to do the same thing all over again in the weeks to come.

What are we supposed to be setting ourselves apart from again?


I didn't notice.

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I write this story not to point fingers or to deliberately make people feel guilty. This blog is not a sound off for hypocritical Christians or everything that's wrong in the world. Rather, this blog is an avenue to look intently at my own life and recognize areas where I have been falling short.

However, if you do find yourself associating with the character in the story, or perhaps even read it and think that there seems to be absolutely nothing wrong with his lifestyle, then I beg you to consider what Scripture says:

"If you love Me, you will obey my commandments." (John 14:15)

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples." (John 15:8)

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:8-10)

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." (Acts 2:44-45)

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7-8)

"You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4)

"As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:15)

"Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart" (1 Peter 2:22)

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:27)

"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:5-6)


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Sure, it's easy for us to think that being set apart from the world is to not get involved with anything of it. But a mere absence from "worldly activity" or surrounding ourselves with like-minded people are band-aid solutions. If we do not test ourselves rigorously (2 Corinthians 13:5) and pursue Christ desperately, we're bound to miss the point and get burned out - like so many of the friends I used to know. People who were once running the race alongside me, but now have fallen behind for various reasons.


Their lack of zeal shouldn't puff up my ego. I am no better than them. I could be worse. For it would be far better to be honest with my feelings and transparent before God of my depravity than to be self-deceived. He spits out the lukewarm after all. (Revelation 3:16)

So if I say I am involved in ministry and show you my theological bravado, yet fail care for those in need - can I really call myself a Christian? Do I reflect the compassion and grace that Christ has shown me when I withhold from sharing the gospel to my friends, my coworkers, and family? Am I able to accurately testify of God's impartiality when I only agree, fellowship, or serve people who I like and agree with? Do I have any right to sing loudly and raise my hands in church when I raise my fist against the woman who cut me off on the freeway?


Set apart. Set apart. Set apart.


I'm thinking carefully about what that means. I don't think we understand it the way God defines it.