"You People Are Weird Freaks!"

"You people are weird freaks. Freak!" That may seem like an odd title for a blog, but in reality, these have been actual words directed at me. Not once, but several times throughout my life. And what for? In one recent case, I defended my Christian view on abortion against the beliefs of a liberal who vehemently held that a woman has the right to abort her baby even up to the ninth month if she so desires. Today isn't about abortion. It's about being "weird." First, let's define the word 'weird' from the Merriam Webster dictionary. WEIRD: of strange or extraordinary character. Adjectives of the word weird are: abnormal, freak, odd, different, or peculiar. Contrary to popular opinion, I like being called weird, odd, or peculiar! Why? Because it is proof my thinking, beliefs, and opinions are in line with God's! In the King James Version of the Bible, Deuteronomy 14:2 reads as follows: "For you are a holy people unto the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth."

We read in the scriptures that God has always demanded of his people that they be different. In Deuteronomy 14:2, Moses tells the children of Israel that they are different. From the scripture above God is telling us we are not only peculiar (by the world's definition and or standard) but that we are also "holy people!" The word “holy” means to be set apart, different. God wanted the children of Israel to be a “peculiar people.” The new English Standard Version translates this phrase “treasured possession.” Certainly, something that is a treasured possession is different from everything else one has and is set apart. That's the Church, CHRISTIANS, Jesus' Body of Believers.

In the New Testament as well, Peter quotes from this passage in Deuteronomy and applies it toward “Spiritual Israel” – also Christians. Peter writes, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). God wants us, as Christians, to be different! Paul writes to Titus these words regarding Jesus, “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” Titus 2:14). Jesus died so that we could be different; set apart. We read in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and I will receive you. I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” In order to be God’s children, The Church must be separate, distinct, unique, different, and that is what seems weird in the eyes of the world.

So, are we different? Yes, we are, and I am glad that we are. Today we live in a time when denominations around us are conforming to the world. We hear of denominations who condone abortion, homosexuality, fornication, and adultery. The church of Christ does not condone such activities because God’s word condemns these things. We follow God's Word, not what the world approves. Instead of conforming to the way that the world would have the church, the church ought to be demanding of individuals that their lives be transformed through repentance and renewal of the mind. Romans 12:2 tells us, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Are we different? Yes, we are. We are different because we have been transformed by Christ to be a people who are holy, the children of God, separate from that which is sinful; different from the way the world would mold religion in its own image today. It is our differences from everyone else that defines who we are as Christians! We should never be embarrassed about that! And though people outside of Christ call us weird, they also despise and hate us. Jesus warned us in John 15:18, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you." And so I wear the badge "weird" with pride. The world and the denominations may think us “strange” (1 Peter 4:4) but I wouldn’t have it any other way. One day, Jesus will return and all will bow (Revelation 5:13) and God will be glorified, not because of our similarities with the world, but because of our differences (Matthew 25:34).

Until next time,

-Pat-