Lately I've been thinking I fit in too much with the world. And I don't mean this in a stereotypical I'm-listening-to-too-much-secular-music kind of way.

It seems like Christians try really, really hard to be respected and relevant to the world around us. If we could just get unbelievers to see that we're normal people, then maybe they won't be so weirded out by Christianity.

The more I've been reading in the New Testament, the more I'm coming to understand that we're not necessarily supposed to be liked by the world around us. In fact, we're not supposed to be surprised if the world hates us. 

To take it a step further, the message of the cross is supposed to make us sound foolish! Like idiots! Let me explain.

• I believe that there is one God over the entire world that has always existed, who sits above time, outside the realm of what I can think about.
• I believe that same God came to earth and made a virgin pregnant with Himself.
• I believe God was on the earth and was a God and a man at the same time without compromising either's existence.
• I believe the God of the universe purposefully caused His own death.
• I believe God also proved He is more powerful than death and made Himself come back to life.
• I believe that same God is still around the earth, convincing people in a very strange, miraculous way, to believe in Him.
• I believe in angels and demons. Around me. All the time. Seriously.
• I believe God literally lives inside of me.
• I believe part of me will live forever.
• I believe in the end of the world by fire and brimstone.
• I believe I should be willing to die for a stranger.
• I believe I should be willing to give all of my money, family, and possessions if God wants it from me.
• I eat the body and drink the blood of a dead Jewish carpenter who we claim is still alive.

So you see, I'm an idiot! Do you understand how foolish that all sounds!?

Here's the thing. I know it sounds like I'm insane, but I believe this stuff is really true! And if we would actually put it this way, I think the world would not think of us as "nice people," or as "normal members of society." No, if they really understood what we believe, they'd think we're nuts! They would think we are literally out of our minds.

Maybe that's how we can be different. By believing things and acting like we believe things that only fools would believe.

Jacob