The deeper I get into my faith, the more I realize the disparity between Christ’s way and the world’s.  I can empathize with those seekers or unbelievers who have such trouble understanding our faith when looking at it from the outside. It sure does seem counterintuitive in many ways. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”  I often wonder how things got so upside down and backwards. Did we “fall” harder than we could have ever imagined, or is this just a consequence of being human? Perhaps, it is one in the same.

Love.   Power.   Money. are three signficant catalysts in our world. They get mashed together all the time to create all sorts of heartache.  These three areas are also three ways that the Christian life differs from the secular life.

Love.

The world says find someone who makes you feel good, fulfills you, “completes you.” Don’t bother with people who disagree with you, you don’t need them in your life anyway.  Get someone who will do for you….this is love.

The Bible says, in Matthew 5:44: “love your enemies….do good to those who persecute you.”   Submit to others, sacrifice, be a servant, others, others…this is love.

Power.

The world says take, or someone will beat you to it. Do what you have to do to get a head. The first are the best and you better  be the best.  Become number one…do what needs to be done to make it happen. Take no prisoners…this is power

Bible says, in 2 Corinthians 12:10 …”I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” In suffering, in weakness, strength comes from God not ourselves…when we surrender our lives, we find power through Christ….this is power.

Money.

The world says work harder. Get more. Spend more…more. More. MORE. You can never have enough…you need stuff to be someone. To be happy, I must have more stuff.

The Bible says, give your money away to find contentment and blessing in Malachi 3.  First give, then receive from God. This is the way to contentment and joy.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. ²⁷ Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. ²⁸ God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. ²⁹ As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God ( 1 Corinthians).

When we look at our Christian life and find it to be the opposite of what seems logical or natural, there is a good reason for it. God gets the glory. When we decide to life by faith and do life as the Bible teaches, and find joy in suffering, blessing through giving, and love in serving….God gets the glory for it. And,  I’m alright with that.