Standing Out as a Christian in Today’s World

Romans 13:8

Ever wondered how being a Christian shapes your actions in our world? Think about it this way: You’ve been given a special gift called grace. It’s not something you earned and it’s pretty amazing. What do you do with it? That’s what being a Christian is like. You’re part of something incredible because of what Christ did for you. And that changes how you act in this world.

We’re surrounded by lots of people, right? Most of them might not see things the same way we do. In fact, the majority of our neighbors are unconverted and prefer it that way. Being a Christian means standing out in a good way. We’re not supposed to copy everything others do by being conformed to this world.

Paul starts this section of Scripture with something ordinary, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law,” (Romans 13:8).

Let’s start with something everyday: money. Ever borrowed something? It’s fine to do that, but it’s important to give it back. It’s not about borrowing being bad; it’s about making sure we return what we borrow. Being responsible with money is a big part of being a good Christian.

James Montgomery Boice wrote, “There is no sin in borrowing the money as long as you are able to pay the interest and premiums according to that schedule.”

Remember, it’s not just about knowing verses by heart. It’s about how we live our lives. Imagine the only thing we owed anyone was love. That’s what we should aim for. And we should never take something that isn’t ours, except for the love we give to others.

Being a Christian isn’t about blending in — it’s about positively standing out. It’s in the way we live out what we believe, from our everyday choices, like handling money, to how we treat others. By living by these values, we shine a light in a world where not everyone sees things the same way. Our Christian example is crucial because the world is observing us, watching for consistency, hoping to see our beliefs reflected in our actions.

For a devotion on Romans 13:9–10 click here.