You Can’t Be A Christian and Be Normal

Matthew 5:27-28 (Adultery)
(27) “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ (28) But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:31-32 (Divorce)
(31) “It has been said, …(32) But I tell you ….

Matthew 5:33-34 (Oaths)
(33) “Again, you have heard that it was said … (34) But I tell you, ….

Matthew 5:38-39 (Eye for Eye)
(38) “You have heard that it was said,…(39) But I tell you, ….

Matthew 5:43-44 (Love for Enemies)
(43) “You have heard that it was said, … (44) But I tell you, ….

There is what is said. But there is what Jesus expects from His disciples. There is what is normal in the world, but there is what Jesus considers normal for believers. What is normal in the world is completely unacceptable to a believer in Jesus. You can’t be a Christian and be normal!

To be normal is to be in tandem with the world and everyone around you. Yet Jesus came to announce that His disciples will be completely different from the world and people around them. The sermon on the mount where our passage is gotten from explains why Jesus had a different message from the norms of His society. You can’t be a Christian and be normal!

How the world looks at adultery is not the same way believers in Jesus do. Christians have a stricter view of adultery to the extent that lusting and the real act are one and the same thing. For the world that does not believe in Jesus, petting, making out, touching each other, and kissing is thought to be innocent activities. For a believer in Jesus that is too much sex already, because it began with lust. Real believers in Jesus would guard their thoughts and would never think of going physical even with prolonged tight hugs. Prolonged tight hugs are normal and innocent in the world, but not for a true Christian. You can’t be a Christian and be normal!

How the world looks at divorce and how Jesus wants His disciples to view it are complete contrasts. Jesus restricts divorce to infidelity, the world around us gives so many explanations on why divorce should take place due to boredom, alleged incompatibility of partners who started as compatible, etc. Christians do not rush to divorce as an option, they work on the marriage, and they compromise and accommodate to bring peace, which is not normal in the world. You can’t be a Christian and be normal!

The world considers oaths as normal. Believer is reluctant to swear because they keep their word for God’s sake. A believer will not be engaged in careless swearing. A believer may swear not to prove a point but to affirm their commitment to serve in an office, etc. You can’t be a Christian and be normal!

Revenge and love for enemies are other areas where the teachings of Jesus completely contradict what is normal in society. Jesus asks His disciples not to revenge. Jesus commands His disciples to love their enemies. This is not a normal requirement. You can’t be a Christian and be normal!

Jesus expected and still expects a body of believers whose faith and practice do not match the world but totally contradict it. When we strive to adjust to the world and be less different, we are serving satan and not Christ. Jesus upheld teachings that made Him different from others and these are the teachings we must uphold. You can’t be a Christian and be normal!

Our teachings are different. Our practices are different. Our dress is different. Our entertainment menu is different. Our diet is different. Our anger and temper are different. You can’t be a Christian and be normal!

Dear God, make us faithful to you, even if it means we look abnormal. Save us from the spirit of seeking to be like the world around us, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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