The world expects Christians to be different from those who don’t know Jesus, and we should be different. We should set an example when it comes to serving others and showing love. Jesus said, ‘People will know…you are my followers if you love each other’ (John 13:35 NCV). In the Old Testament when the Israelites broke God’s covenant by worshipping a golden calf, Moses pleaded with God not to give up on them. His argument was this: ‘How will anyone know that you lookfavourablyon…your people – if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people…apart.’ What made Israel unique among the nations was the evidence of God’s presence as He journeyed with them. And God’s presence sets us apart too. When Jesus told His disciples, ‘I will be with you always’ (Matthew 28:20 NCV), He demonstrated His presence through the Holy Spirit who lived in them and empowered them. So much so, that their enemies said they had ‘turned the world upside down’ (Acts 17:6 NKJV). But as pastor and author Mark D. Roberts says: ‘This doesn’t give us grounds for pride or boasting. God’s presence is an expression of Hisgrace, not ourworthiness. In fact, our confidence in God’s presence…gives us a strong conviction of our high calling to serve Him in every capacity of life. It gives us courage to live according to His kingdom…to serve others in His name…if God is with us on our side, what do we have to fear?’ So today let’s thank God for His presence in our lives, and decide never to take it for granted. Let’s remember that we take God’s presence with us into every situation, conversation, workplace, house, and relationship. Let’s live like we truly know we’re set apart.

What Now?

Are there things you do in your life which don’t show the world that you’re set apart (such as gossiping, lying, or not putting God first)? Ask God to help you remove those things from your life.