"As Christians, we represent the magnificent King of kings. So does our church. ...We Christians have enough barriers to overcome in this society without increasing the friction by sloppy dress, poor workmanship, and offensive habits that repel rather than attract." - Chuck Swindoll

As a child of God and follower of Christ we are meant to be different. We are meant to reflect the difference of Jesus from this world of sin. God has given us new life and with it a new citizenship. Believers no longer belong to this world. It is no longer our home, we must live by a new standard of excellence. (I Peter 2:11-12)

"He has set us apart for new life and service, or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for?...so let people see God in and through your body." (I Corinthians 6:19-20: Message)

Living set apart truly has to do with every detail of your life. How you dress, what you say, your actions and your character must all be in obedience to God. It may seem like the details aren't important to God. You might say God only cares about the heart. But Proverbs tells us that even the details of your life are an outflow of what is in your heart.(Proverbs. 27:19) If your heart is in love with the truth of God you will give over all the details of how you live your life to God's standards.

This is not a pursuit of legalism. Legalism follows details to gain acceptance. We must be reminded that our pursuit of living with integrity in all details is not for acceptance. As a child of God you are already accepted and loved. You don't have to do anything to gain more of God's eternal favor. But as Corinthians reminds us our relationship with God should effect every day and every detail of how we live in this world. We must live "worthy of the Lord and please him in every way:" (Colossians. 1:10)

It pray that we can wake up each morning from now on and say;

"God, I love you more than anything in this world. Show me how to be transformed and set apart. Show me what I need to give up, and change me from the inside out to reflect you better. Give me wisdom in every detail; how I dress, what I say, my actions and my character - so that this world will know that I am an ambassador of you. Don't allow my heart to deceive me and live with false reasons for what I wear, say, do and partake in. I want to be pure and honest in every area of my life. I want to be conformed to your image not the image of the world. I want to look like you not the world. I want you to shine through me today!"

-Josh