In traveling around the world, speaking to, and meeting with, devoted parents, a common theme repeatedly emerges. As parents seek to teach their children God's ways and train them for eternity "talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up," they find themselves not fitting into the culture of their community. This is not surprising since Jesus predicted this behavior. John 15:18 If the world hates you, you know that it hath hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, A servant is not greater than his lord. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; But what is disconcerting, is when we don't fit into the culture of our local church either. It is bewildering that we find ostracism even from our Christian brothers and sisters, especially with the current emphasis to be "pro-family." When believers question our convictions and motives it hurts, plain and simple. Part of the reason for the extra grief we experience is that our guard is down and we don' t expect this kind of reaction from those who share our faith. I don't believe it is profitable to spend time and energy figuring out why this is the way it is. It is not our job to judge, but is it our calling to keep our eyes on Jesus and follow Him and His word. I take courage in a word found in the King James Version of scripture. See if you can identify this particular word in the thread of the following verses.

• Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
• Deuteronomy 26:18 And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments;
• Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
• 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

The word is peculiar. Isn't that a descriptive word? I am not saying it is one I would have chosen, but it is comforting to know that being a peculiar people is a good thing and a God thing. I think one of the primary reasons we do not fit into this world is that we are being transformed. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. And the fruit of being transformed, is that we are also not being conformed. It is no wonder that we don't fit into this world which is passing away. God is refitting us for eternity And we are in good company. There are a whole host of believers who have preceded us . Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. And these peculiar people were strangers and pilgrims in their day. The good news is that they are now cheering us on. They are a great cloud of witnesses. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. God Bless each of you peculiar people and may He gives us all fresh grace to keep on running the good race and fighting the good fight,   Steve