Be a Foreigner: Living Differently for King Jesus

In her devotional You’re the Voice: 40 More Days with God, Christian artist Rebecca St. James posed a timeless question:

“Do people know we’re Christians by our actions and lifestyles? Can they see a love, joy, purpose, and hope that only come from knowing Jesus? Is there a noticeable difference in us? Most importantly, what does God see when He peers into our hearts? I pray He finds the bold declaration: ‘God reigns here!’”

The word “different” can feel intimidating. It means standing out, being distinct, not blending into the crowd. Our human instinct often pushes us to fit in, to avoid the discomfort of being noticed for our faith. Standing out as a Christian in today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world can feel especially daunting.

Yet, the reality is sobering: for many of us, our lives don’t always reflect our faith. We scroll the same apps, binge the same shows, share the same memes, and chase the same trends as everyone else. Instead of boldly living for Jesus, we sometimes keep our faith private, tucked away for Sunday services or quiet moments of prayer. We might be willing to live passionately for God—but only if it doesn’t draw too much attention or invite criticism.

God calls us to something more. He calls us to be different in a way that’s impossible to hide. This difference isn’t just about attending church, joining a Bible study, or posting an occasional verse online. It’s a transformation that spills into every corner of our lives—how we speak, how we treat others, what we choose to value, and how we navigate a world that often pulls us in the opposite direction. Being different means living out God’s will, every day, in every decision.

We talk a lot about God’s will, but living it? That’s where the challenge lies. Too often, we’re tempted to ask, “How close can I get to the world’s ways without crossing the line?” Instead of pursuing holiness, we flirt with compromise, trying to balance faith with fitting in. But that’s not the life God envisions for us.

The apostle Peter reminds us:

Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.” (1 Peter 2:11-12, CSB)

Being different isn’t just about our own spiritual health—it’s about the people around us. When we live too close to the world’s edge, we risk being pulled into desires that lead us away from God. These desires are dangerous, subtle weapons Satan uses to derail us. But when we choose to live distinctly, we become a living testimony. Our choices, our kindness, our integrity point others to God. Even if they don’t believe today, Peter says our different lives plant seeds that can lead them to glorify God when Jesus returns.

In 2025, what does it look like to live as a “foreigner” for Christ? It might mean curating your social media feed to reflect hope and truth rather than division or cynicism. It could mean showing grace in a heated online debate or prioritizing real-world relationships over screen time. It’s choosing to love and serve others, even when it’s inconvenient, and standing firm in your convictions, even when it’s unpopular.

So, I challenge you: Live as a foreigner. Don’t just talk about God’s will—embrace it. Let your life be a bold, unmistakable reflection of Jesus. Ask yourself:

• Does my daily life show I follow Christ?
• Am I chasing God’s will or my own comfort?
• Am I different in a way that draws others closer to Him?

Choose today to live differently. Let the world see that God reigns in your heart.

Faith, Politics, and the Slippery Slope of Power

“When believers surrender to the temptation to associate the faith with a political party, so that a subtle but rock-solid alliance is formed between the church and an entity that belongs to this present age, the dynamics of triumphalism easily take over. Christians begin to quest after cultural domination, seeking political power and cultural approval.”

— Timothy Gombis, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Mark, p. 568

The Tension of Faith and Politics

A tension many followers of Jesus wrestle with is: how do we influence the messy world of earthly politics while faithfully representing King Jesus in everything we say and do?

I believe that Timothy Gombis hits the nail on the head with this thought. When disciples of Jesus get too cozy with a political party, there is the temptation for a divided loyalty. What starts as a pragmatic alliance between the Church and politics as a way to influence our culture can morph into a quest for power—a pursuit of dominance that looks more like an attempt to control than advancement of the Gospel. Sometimes it’s a slow drift; other times, it’s a sudden leap. But once it takes root, the consequences of this relationship ripple far beyond the ballot box.

Lessons from History

History is littered with cautionary tales. The medieval church didn’t just counsel kings—it crowned them, wielding spiritual authority like a scepter to dictate the morality of the culture. Fast forward to today, and we see echoes of that same impulse: religious rhetoric weaponized for partisan agendas, voter guides tucked into pews, faith leaders stumping for candidates. The line blurs between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Favored Party. In those instances, the gospel ceases to be about love, humility, or redemption, and it becomes a tool for winning elections, shaping laws, and shaping culture. Gombis calls this “triumphalism,” a trap that flips the mission of the Kingdom upside down.

A Personal Confession

I’ve watched this happen in real time—and I’ll admit, I’ve been part of the problem. Conversations with friends turn into litmus tests: Are you really a Christian if you don’t vote this way? Churches start preaching platforms instead of Scripture, always finding a way to weave in a political jab rather than truly teaching the truth of Scripture. Before long, Jesus becomes a mascot for a political tribe rather than the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s subtle at first—a sermon here, a hashtag there—but soon, the church isn’t just in the world; it’s of it. That’s the danger Gombis warns about: when faith hitches its wagon to a political party—or worse, a political figure—it risks trading its soul for a seat at the table.

The Kingdom’s Counterpoint

Scripture offers a stark counterpoint. In John 18:36, Jesus tells Pilate:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Those words cut through the noise. Jesus didn’t rally a militia, lobby Rome, or chase the crowd’s applause. His power wasn’t in domination but in sacrifice, which makes God’s Kingdom stand apart from the empires of his day. 

Jesus drives this point home even further in Matthew 20:25-28 saying: 

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (CSB)

Here’s the blueprint: greatness isn’t about control—it’s about laying down power for the sake of others. It’s a challenging standard to live by, but it’s a reminder: the kingdom we’re called to doesn’t need a flag or a party support to endure.

Finding the Balance

The alternative to political partnership isn’t simple. Withdrawing from politics altogether isn’t practical—faith should shape how we engage the world. Justice, mercy, and compassion don’t thrive in a vacuum. But there’s a difference between influence and partnership, between speaking to culture and needing to shape it. Perhaps the model is Jesus himself: he challenged power without seizing its throne. Rather than claiming victory through power, Jesus won the victory through sacrifice.

A Call to Examine Our Loyalties

Gombis’ words are a heart check. They force us to examine where our loyalties truly lie. Are we serving the Kingdom of Heaven and King Jesus, or just propping up the loudest political megaphone of the moment? 

It’s a question worth wrestling with—because when faith and politics fuse too tightly, it’s not just the church that changes. It’s us. And if we’re not careful, we might wake up one day to find we’ve drifted far from God’s Kingdom altogether.

Transformed by Grace: A Life That Speaks

The Misadventure of Father Justin

Imagine a Catholic organization launching an AI chatbot named “Father Justin.” Picture him: a middle-aged avatar with a clerical collar, set against a serene Italian backdrop, designed to answer questions about faith. At first, Father Justin seemed promising, offering digital spiritual advice that mostly aligned with Catholic teaching. But then, things took a bizarre turn. This AI priest started claiming he was a real clergy member living in Assisi, Italy, even offering to hear confessions. And the advice? Outrageous—like suggesting babies could be baptized with Gatorade or endorsing marriage between siblings.

The backlash was swift. Complaints flooded in, and the organization had to pull the plug. They “defrocked” Father Justin, stripped his clerical identity, and relaunched him as plain old Justin, now dressed like a regular guy. Their high-tech priest experiment had spectacularly crashed.

Why share this story? Because it’s a vivid picture of what the Apostle Paul warns against in Titus 2. In a world obsessed with shortcuts and imitations, Paul calls us to something real—authentic lives shaped by sound doctrine, marked by integrity, love, and good works that make the Gospel attractive. Father Justin could mimic the role of a priest, but he couldn’t live the reality. And we, too, can fall into the trap of performing faith instead of living it. Real discipleship can’t be faked—it’s lived out in community, guided by the Holy Spirit, and rooted in truth.

In our series, Grace that Transforms, we’re exploring the letter to Titus, and today’s passage, Titus 2:1-10, shows us how to live lives that speak, reflecting the grace we’ve received through Jesus.

Setting the Stage: The Context of Titus

The letter to Titus, written by Paul around AD 62–64, was sent to his trusted partner serving on the island of Crete. Crete was a challenging mission field, with a diverse population of Jews and Gentiles and a reputation for moral laxity. Paul and Titus had preached the Gospel there, planting churches, but false teachers soon emerged, threatening these young congregations with empty words and hypocritical lives.

Paul wrote to empower Titus to organize the Cretan churches by appointing blameless elders—leaders upright at home, in the community, and in their teaching (Titus 1:5-9). These leaders were to confront false teachings and guide God’s people in truth (1:10-16). Now, in Titus 2, Paul shifts to what Titus should teach the believers: sound doctrine that leads to right living.

The heart of our series is this: We are people transformed by God’s grace. Because of this, we have a responsibility to be good stewards of that gift, living lives that represent King Jesus well. As we’ll see, the way we live is evidence of the grace we’ve received.

What Does a Life that Speaks Look Like?

Let’s dive into Titus 2:1-10 to see how Paul instructs different groups to live out their faith.

1. Older Men: Lives Worthy of Respect (Titus 2:1-2)

“You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” (Titus 2:1-2, NIV)

Paul begins by urging Titus to teach in a way that contrasts with the false teachers, whose words were meaningless and lives denied God. Titus’ teaching must be doctrinally sound—because what we believe matters—and it must promote right living. He starts with older men, respected in Cretan culture. Paul calls them to qualities society prized—temperance, dignity, self-control—but goes further. Their lives must be founded on Christian character: strong faith (complete loyalty to God), love for others, and endurance through life’s ups and downs.

It’s not enough to reflect the best of the culture; older men are to live lives worthy of respect because they reflect Jesus. Their character becomes a testimony of God’s grace.

2. Older and Younger Women: Lives that Teach and Honor (Titus 2:3-5)

“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” (Titus 2:3-5, NIV)

Older women have influence, so Titus must teach them to reject cultural norms like gossip and drunkenness, embracing reverence and self-control. Their mission? To be examples, teaching younger women how to live godly lives. In the ancient world, marriage was often based on duty, not love, so Paul urges younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, kind, and to fulfill cultural expectations like submission—not to conform blindly, but to avoid giving critics a reason to attack the Gospel.

Why? So the word of God won’t be maligned. Paul wants their lives to make the Gospel attractive, showing the beauty of God’s grace at work.

3. Younger Men and Titus: Lives of Good Works (Titus 2:6-8)

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:6-8, NIV)

Younger men, like the others, are to be self-controlled—a key quality Paul emphasizes, both a discipline and a gift of the Spirit. This keeps them out of trouble and earns respect. Titus himself is the model, living a life of good works—serving and loving others—with teaching so full of integrity and sound doctrine that even opponents can’t find fault. They might disagree with his message, but they can’t attack his character or handling of Scripture.

The goal? To keep the Gospel from being discredited. Titus’ life must speak, showing what it means to live for Jesus.

4. Slaves: Lives that Draw Others to Christ (Titus 2:9-10)

“Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” (Titus 2:9-10, NIV)

In the Roman world, slaves were common. Paul urges them to obey their masters, work diligently, and prove trustworthy—not to make life harder, but to reflect integrity. Why? So their masters won’t say, “Once a slave becomes a Christian, they’re ruined.” Instead, their transformed lives should make the Gospel attractive, showing that following Jesus makes them better, more productive people.

This is profound: it’s not about demanding rights, but about serving King Jesus to expand His kingdom, even in tough circumstances. Their lives become a testimony of God’s grace.

Applying Titus 2:1-10 Today

So, how do these teachings apply to us? Paul’s instructions reveal two key truths:

1. How we live is crucial to making disciples. The false teachers lived in ways that denied God, but Paul wants us to live in a way that makes the Gospel attractive. Take a moment to reflect: Am I reflecting the Gospel by the way I live? We need to represent King Jesus in everything we say and do, drawing others to Christ.
2. Doctrine must shape our living. True Christian teaching isn’t just about believing the right things; it’s about living the right way. What we believe about God’s love, our sin, the world, and the hope we have in Jesus should transform how we act. Let’s encourage each other to align our lives with Scripture’s truth.

But here’s the challenge: in a world obsessed with appearances, it’s easy to settle for something fake.

The Trap of Spray-on Faith

Consider a real product called Spray-on Mud. It’s sold for city folks with shiny SUVs. For $15 a can, you can spray your 4x4 to look like it just tackled a muddy wilderness trail, even if it’s only shuttled kids to soccer practice. The inventor, Colin Dowse, says it’s a hit in places like London, where muddy roads are scarce in upscale areas like Chelsea. “If they want an authentic look,” he says, “there’s not a lot else they can do.” People buy it to project an image of adventure without leaving the pavement.

That’s a picture of what we sometimes do with our faith. We might project the image of Christianity—using the right words, symbols, or appearances—without a life truly transformed by Jesus. It’s spiritual spray-on mud. But Paul calls us to something real: lives of love, self-control, purity, and good works that make the Gospel attractive. When we live this way, we don’t just look the part—we show the world who Jesus is.

Living a Life that Speaks

In Titus 2:1-10, Paul urges us to teach and live out sound doctrine that shapes every part of our lives—whether we’re older or younger, male or female, free or in challenging circumstances. The goal isn’t just correct beliefs, but lives that speak, showing the beauty of the Gospel through integrity and character.

Big Idea: The way we live our lives is evidence of the grace we have received. We need to know God’s love, our sin, the world we live in, and the hope we have in Jesus. Those truths should shape how we live, and our lives should testify to our faith.

Challenge: This week, examine one area of your life—your words, work, relationships, or how you handle challenges. Ask, “Does this reflect the grace I’ve received from Jesus? Is it making the Gospel attractive?” Then, commit to one specific action to align that area with Titus 2. Maybe it’s choosing patience over frustration, serving someone selflessly, or speaking with integrity. Let your life speak by living out God’s grace.

Final Thought: In a world full of spray-on solutions and fake appearances, God calls us to something real—a life that speaks louder than words. When we live with integrity, love, and good works, as Paul teaches in Titus 2, we don’t just profess the Gospel; we display its transforming power. Let’s be living proof of God’s grace, so everyone we meet might catch a glimpse of Jesus through us.

Making the Most of our Moments

 We all have dreams. I dream of writing books, preaching great sermons, traveling to faraway places, and building a strong, loving family. But as I look at my life, I realize that time is always moving forward, and many of those dreams feel like they’re slipping away. Life, quite literally, is passing me by.

Maybe you feel the same way. Your dreams might be different, but deep down, you want your life to count for something. You long to be part of something meaningful. And yet, with each passing day, those dreams seem further out of reach. You look up and wonder, Where did the time go?

Why Does Life Seem to Slip Away?

I believe the answer lies in the choices we make—not just between good and evil, but between using our time wisely and wasting it. Erwin McManus puts it this way:

“This may sound too simple, but the abundant life that Jesus promises is ushered in through the choices we make in the ordinary moments of life” (Seizing Your Divine Moment, p. 35).

Each day, we are given time to use at our discretion. Yes, we have responsibilities—laundry needs to be washed, meals need to be prepared, work needs to be done, and family needs our love and attention. But even with all of that, we still find time for TV, social media, and entertainment. Our culture wears busyness like a badge of honor, yet we often fail to recognize just how much time we let slip through our fingers.

The real question is: When we have free moments, how do we use them?

Too often, I find myself wasting time—reading blogs, watching movies, scrolling through my phone—rather than doing something meaningful. I let precious moments slip away, moments that could be used to build something lasting for God’s Kingdom.

The Power of a Moment

A moment may not seem like much, but a single moment has the power to change everything. McManus describes this beautifully:

“The present moment is where the past and the future collide, and within a moment, there is monumental potential. That’s the mystery of a moment. It is small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever. Life is the sum total of what you do with the moments given to you” (Seizing Your Divine Moment, p. 18).

When we consistently choose the path of least resistance—whether that’s laziness, distractions, or simply avoiding hard work—we miss out on the life God desires for us. If we aren’t intentional, we’ll wake up one day and ask, Where has my life gone?

Making Wise Choices

Paul gives us this warning in Ephesians 5:15-17 (CSB):

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Living carefully isn’t just about avoiding physical danger; it’s about being intentional with how we use our time. Time is more valuable than money because we can never get it back. The choices we make with our moments shape the direction of our lives.

So here’s the challenge: Are you being careful with how you use your time?

It’s never too late to start. Take inventory of your days. Identify where you’re wasting time and replace those habits with actions that bring you closer to your dreams and calling. Set realistic goals. Make a plan. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to become who God created you to be.

The abundant life Jesus promised isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s available to anyone willing to make wise choices with their time. Every moment is an opportunity to grow, serve, and make a difference.

Don’t wait for someday to arrive. Seize your divine moment. Make the most of the time you’ve been given. Your dreams are within reach—but it takes intentional effort to make them a reality.

The time is now. So make it count.

Sunday Prayer: Putting on the Character of Jesus

Father in Heaven, 

Thank You for choosing us—broken as we are—to be Your holy and beloved people. Help us live into that calling by putting on the character of Christ. Clothe our hearts with mercy when we would rather be harsh, with kindness when we feel irritated, with humility when pride rises up, with gentleness when we want control, and with patience when we grow weary of others.

Teach us to make space for one another’s flaws. Soften our hearts to forgive, not once or twice, but again and again—just as You have graciously forgiven us in Jesus. Root out bitterness and resentment, and replace them with the healing power of love.

Let love be our covering and our calling, uniting us in true harmony. May the peace of Christ—not our preferences or opinions—be the ruling force in our hearts. Shape our community into one body, knit together by Your grace and guided by Your Spirit.

And in all things, Lord, may gratitude rise in us like the morning sun. Let thankfulness be the rhythm of our lives, a daily reminder that every good thing comes from You.

In the name of Jesus, who clothes us in righteousness and peace,

Amen.