Walk the streets of any major city and you will see the same styles of clothing, hear the same music and watch people glued to their phones on many of the same social media platforms. But, by the standards of His day Jesus Christ was a non‑conformist who did not fit in with the crowd. He disregarded traditions and social customs if they were out of keeping with the revealed Word of God. He was willing to stand alone from the crowd, yet it was not His clothes that made Him different. In fact, there is no evidence whatsoever that suggests His clothes or hair made Him stand out in the least from His peers. It was His life, His complete honesty, His soul‑penetrating insight into the lives of those who encountered Him.
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8
How was it that Christ had the courage and spiritual strength to stand apart, even when it meant facing hostile criticism? His strength came from above. He was constantly in touch with His Father in heaven. If our primary concern in life is to get along socially, or fit in, we haven’t gotten following Jesus yet. Like the flap on a concert ticket that says, “Not good if detached,” we won’t have the strength to stand apart; to live for God and for others, without regular times of renewal with Jesus and His Word. Have you discovered this source of strength? Has your day included a reset with God and the living Word?
Resource Reading: Daniel 1:1-21
