It Walks Like a Duck
“If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, then it must be a duck.” Right?
That's a good question to ponder spiritually. Spiritually? Yes. How easily are Christians recognized today in the mall, grocery store, movie theater, or even in church? What identifying characteristics set them apart? Are they really “set apart?” Do they look like, walk like, and sound like non-christians?
The other day in haste I put some white towels in the wash with some brightly colored ones. When the cycle ended, I no longer had white towels. Being in the water with the others, “going around with them” in the wash, the white towels had lost their brightness and looked dull and dingy.
As followers of Christ, we are told in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world.” Conform means “to form or mold.” Instead of being shaped by the values, behavior, and attitude of the world, we are to “be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” The Living Translation says it this way: “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
It is a trait of nature to adapt to our surroundings, even taking on characteristics of the people we are constantly around. You've seen children who walk and talk like their parents and husbands and wives who begin to look like each other as the years pass. In this hot weather, even the coldwater faucet produces warm water because the pipes are covered or surrounded by the warm earth.
Jesus, in His prayer for us (John 17:1516) said, “I do not pray that You (God, the Father) take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” Instead of following the ways of the world, we are told in Ephesians 5:1-4, “Imitate God in everything you do, because you are His dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” He then tells us how we are to be different. “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes – these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.”
Let us talk the talk and walk the walk of a child of God!