Why Are You So Strange? Language

They can't hear you.

Hey folks. Last time we talked about the fact that you were once of the world. Meaning, you were a child of the world and you were just as natural as everyone else. We all had a "gang" growing up. Local kids or at least one or two very close friends. We were all the same. We thought the same, did the same things and were all heading in the same direction.

Jesus put it this way,

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own" John 15:19

It did. You did the same things they did. You talked like them. Walked like them. You watched the same things as they did. You were them. Then something happened. God called you out. Jesus finished this statement like this.

"but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

You are not the same. You

"have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you said this prayer:

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

You are now strange. So very strange. Especially to those that know you from before. Look what happened to Jesus when He tried to go home.

"And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief." Matthew 13:53-58

You will get the same treatment. They will say things like "Wait, is this not, in my case, Peter? Diana's son. The guy who used to party with us. The guy that could drink any one of us under a table? The guy that is fearless and would do anything on a dare? Who does he think he is? Going to church and talking about Jesus. Like he is holier than us. Better than us? Come on, get lost."

You are now a weirdo to them. Be the weirdo. Be the Child of God you are. Start by using strange language. Learn your new language. Oh, it is not the same as the world. Do not be mislead. You are a new creature and you now should be speaking a more heavenly or righteous language.

Look what Jesus said to the religious leaders of His time on earth.

"Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”" John 8:43-47

It is this simple.

"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14

Turn to Romans 8:7

"For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

You love your friends and family. You want them to be saved just like you. You try to share the gospel with them and some will flat out reject you and your words. They will literally get angry with you for even bringing it up to them. Why?

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

They cannot even hear you. You are talking to them, meaning it from your heart, but all they hear is nonsense. They cannot accept what you are saying. You are talking about an invisible man in the sky that rewards some and throws others into eternal torture and suffering and you are telling them that Jesus came and died, yet rose again and is alive to this day. They cannot accept it because they cannot hear it. As Jesus said.

"Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God."

The reason they cannot hear you is that they are not of God. However, this does not mean we should not try. Jesus told us.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Paul wrote this in his letter to the church at Corinth.

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." 1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Our language has to become all about God and His plan for us. Peter put it this way.

"but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

Yes, some people are going to think you are strange. Yes. Some will think you are a weirdo. Yes. Some will hate you for it. But this does not mean you should not do it. You are speaking POWER. You are bringing the Kindom of God near people. You may be the only Jesus some people will ever see. What do you think is better. Talk about the latest episode of "Love loss" or tell someone they can be adopted into the very family of God and be on their way to heaven?

Will some reject you? Will some hate you? Yes. Jesus explained it this way.

"Remember the word that I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well." John 15:20

As a child of God, you need to understand that your words have the power of God. This is why it is so important for you to follow this instruction of wisdom.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

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 4:2-6

Yes, you can discuss other things of course. But you should always be looking for the cracked door. The opportunity to share the Gospel. You should use your newfound power to build up. Not to tear down. To embrace with love. Not to attack with judgment and anger. To love. Not to hate. Be strange in your speech. Be the child of God He calls you to be.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!