Expert: Thomas Hussein - 11/16/2007

Question
Hello,

I am needing help finding some verses, that I was hoping were in the bible, that you might be familiar with. I am working on an essay paper, about "What makes a Christian different from anybody else," and I was thinking that there are some verses from Paul in the New Testament, where he says things to the effect of what makes Christians "different from others", or seem different from others who aren't christian. Different as in a positive and better way.

I am also trying to remember the verses in the New Testament, about how Christians are supposed to be "Lights," or filled with light, and like lamps or lanterns to the rest of the world. I know that the book of John describes Jesus as being the "Light of the world," however I am wondering if there are some specific verses that mention christians also needing to be seen as those types of "Light?"

Thanks for your time and help,

Mark

Answer
Hello Mark,

Yes, you are right there are Scriptures that encourage people trying to practice Christs christianity and avoid hypocrisy.  Here are a few:

(Titus 2:11-14) “. . .For the undeserved kindness of God which brings salvation to all sorts of men has been manifested, 12 instructing us to repudiate ungodliness and worldly desires and to live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things, 13 while we wait for the happy hope and glorious manifestation of the great God and of [the] Savior of us, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave himself for us that he might deliver us from every sort of lawlessness and cleanse for himself a people PECULARLY HIS OWN (my caps), zealous for FINE works.”

(2 Timothy 3:16-17) “. . . All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fully competent, COMPLETELY EQUIPPED(my caps) for every good work.”

(1 Timothy 1:5-7) “. . .Really the objective of this mandate is love out of a clean heart and out of a good conscience and out of faith WITHOUT HYPOCRISY(my c). 6 By deviating from these things certain ones have been turned aside into idle talk, 7 wanting to be teachers of law, but not perceiving either the things they are saying or the things about which they are making strong assertions.”
--THERE ARE more if you need them!

JESUS WORDS:
(Matthew 5:13-16) “13 “YOU are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its strength, how will its saltness be restored? It is no longer usable for anything but to be thrown outside to be trampled on by men. 14 “YOU are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. 15 People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. 16 Likewise let YOUR light shine before men, that they may see YOUR fine works and give glory to YOUR Father who is in the heavens.”

Thomas