A Dividing Line

A Dividing Line

We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.

1 Chronicles 29:15

In the years following 1525, Anabaptists were jailed, tortured, and burned at the stake. They hid from authorities, met in secret, and grew to distrust society:

In addition to fostering a tendency to withdraw, the fierce opposition further encouraged values of simplicity and piety that the Anabaptists already saw in the Bible. The line dividing the suffering church and the cruel world became all too clear. The world was arrogant, wealthy, proud, and violent. The Anabaptists saw themselves as meek, simple, humble, and nonresistant. While some of these characteristics may have been typical of rural Swiss and south German people generally, the experience of persecution accentuated them among the Anabaptists.

No matter who we are or where we live, if we choose to follow Christ, there will be a dividing line between us and others. Numerous Scripture verses refer to God’s children as visitors, strangers, and aliens in this world. Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel, lived in tents as he migrated to the land of Canaan. During Jeremiah’s time the children of Israel lived in exile. Throughout history there has hardly been a time when believers have been able to completely take root. It’s impossible to be completely settled in a world that believes the opposite of what God believes.

Each of us must make a stand for Christ. We also must walk away from the pursuit of wealth for the sake of wealth and pursue lives of simplicity. Walk away from striving and walk toward abiding. Walk away from arrogance and pride and walk toward humility.

Take a few minutes to think back on your life and write down key moments when God has asked you to walk away from the world’s opinions or pursuits. Where did this obedience lead?

Now ask God if there is anything else He may desire for you to walk away from. Taking those steps is hard, but God’s peace is on the other side.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for forming a dividing line between Your ways and the world’s ways. I choose You today.