Living Weird: God's Unconventional Plan for Salvation

Living Weird: God's Unconventional Plan for Salvation

In a world that often pushes us towards conformity, there's a profound call to live differently – to live "weird." But this isn't about being odd for the sake of standing out. It's about embracing a counter-cultural lifestyle that reflects the radical love and grace of God.

The concept of living weird stems from Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:13-14. He speaks of two paths: a wide, easy road that leads to destruction, traveled by many, and a narrow, challenging path that leads to life, chosen by few. This metaphor isn't about exclusivity, but rather about the deliberate choice to follow Jesus, even when it goes against the grain of society.

Living a holy, set-apart life isn't about earning God's favor. Instead, it's a natural outflow of following Jesus, allowing His transformative power to change us from the inside out. As we pursue this "weird" lifestyle, we encounter two primary barriers: internal struggles (like the desire to please others) and external pressures (such as persecution or worldly influences).

But here's where it gets truly fascinating – as we draw closer to Christ, our very desires begin to shift. Galatians 5:24-25 beautifully captures this transformation: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Our pursuit of "weird" living isn't just about changed actions, but about hearts and minds aligning with God's will.

This journey of following Jesus isn't always linear. There are steps forward and backward, but the key is to keep moving, surrounded by a community of believers who can encourage and support us along the way.

Now, let's dive into a crucial contrast: the "normal" view of God versus the "weird" view of God.

The normal view often manifests as religion – human attempts to reach God through our own efforts. It's about trying to earn favor, believing the right things, behaving correctly, or worshipping in a specific way. While these actions aren't inherently wrong, they become problematic when they replace a genuine relationship with God. Jesus himself warned against religious leaders who placed heavy burdens on people without truly understanding God's heart (Matthew 23:1-4).

This normal view centers around what we do, leading either to pride (thinking we're better than others) or despair (realizing we can never measure up). It's a path that, ultimately, leads to destruction.

In contrast, the "weird" view of God recognizes that Jesus Christ is God's unconventional way of reaching humanity. John 3:16 reminds us that God's love prompted Him to send His Son, acknowledging our inability to bridge the gap on our own. This perspective creates a beautiful paradox – we're saved by grace alone, yet we live in a world that constantly measures worth by accomplishments.

The Apostle Paul grappled with this paradox. In Philippians 3:4-9, he lists his impressive religious credentials – circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, a Pharisee, zealous for the law. Yet he declares all of this "rubbish" compared to knowing Christ. Paul recognized that his own righteousness, derived from the law, was worthless. True righteousness comes through faith in Christ alone.

This is the heart of the "weird" view – understanding that we cannot save ourselves. No amount of good deeds, church attendance, or religious observance can earn salvation. It's only through Jesus' perfect life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection that we have hope. He took the punishment we deserved and offered us His righteousness in return.

Romans 6:23 encapsulates this beautifully: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We earn death through our sin, but God freely gives us life through Christ.

Once we grasp this truth, it changes everything. We begin to live differently, not to earn God's love, but because we've already received it. We become Christ's ambassadors, sharing His message of hope and reconciliation with the world around us.

This "weird" way of living manifests in various ways. It might look like befriending outcasts, showing kindness to difficult people, or being willing to have spiritual conversations in unexpected places. Sometimes it's through bold words, other times through quiet acts of service. The key is allowing God's love to flow through us, touching lives in ways that defy worldly logic.

To summarize:
- The normal view of God focuses on our efforts, is self-centered, and operates under the false belief that obedience earns God's love.
- The weird view of God centers on relationship, emphasizes what Christ has done, and recognizes that God's love enables our obedience.

As we navigate a world that often chooses the wide, destructive path, we're called to live differently. This weird lifestyle isn't about judgment or superiority. It's about gratefully recognizing God's grace in our own lives and extending that same love and grace to others.

Living weird means embracing the paradox of being set apart while deeply engaged with the world around us. It's about loving fiercely, forgiving radically, and pointing others to the hope we've found in Christ. In a culture obsessed with self-promotion and personal achievement, weird living means humbly acknowledging our dependence on God and finding our identity in Him alone.

So, how will you choose to live weird today? In what ways can you demonstrate God's unconventional love to those around you? As you reflect on God's incredible grace in your own life, let it fuel a grateful, purposeful commitment to living out His calling. The path may be narrow and challenging, but it leads to true life – and that's an adventure worth embracing.