Be Set Apart

Alone. This is what I think of when I hear the words set apart. It doesn’t sound special or cool. It’s being the kid at the lunch table who doesn’t have any friends so you sit alone and hope no one notices you. Not that I ever experienced anything like this. I’m relating this story to a friend. (Yeah, right?)

Most of us can identify with the feeling of being alone or set apart from a group. It could be the cool kids in school, otherwise known as the popular crowd or it could be as adults in the workforce not being included with activities outside of the office or it could be the moms groups that meet at the local playground who don’t think our kid should play with their kid.

These examples are a different kind of set apart than what God had in mind.

Guess what? This is exactly what God has called us to be.

Set apart from the world.

In Romans 12:2 (NLT) it says, “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.”

When I’ve been set apart, it feels scary and lonely. It’s time I looked at being set apart a little differently. God sets us apart for different reasons. Here are four ways we could be set apart.

For protection: As I’m reading through the Bible in a year (I’m actually on track!) I’m reminded in the book of Genesis how God asked Abraham to leave his homeland to be set apart from everything he knew.

In Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT) it says, “The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Here Abraham had a choice. Leave what he knew and trust God or stay where he was and be disobedient. Now, some may argue Abraham already knew if he left he would be blessed, so it was an easy choice.

We know we will be blessed if we follow God, but how many of us choose to do what is right in our own eyes?

I know I’m guilty of disobeying what is in black and white of the Bible. God sets us apart to protect us and keep us from temptation, but He ultimately leaves the decision up to us whether or not to heed the call.

For a Calling: In Romans 12:2 (NLT) it says, “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.” God’s will is part of our life if we allow it to be. By being set apart, we can take the time of being alone to figure out what God wants us to do with the gifts and talents He’s given us. We are to be different. It’s in the difference where we find our calling.

To Be Made New: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) states, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” If this verse alone doesn’t get your heart pumping, we made need to check for proof of life! This means everything we’ve done in the past and everything we will do in the future doesn’t impact our eternal destination.

We will all make mistakes.

God will forgive us and make us into something new. This does not mean we can willfully disobey God with the notion sin isn’t a big deal because God will forgive us. There is no unforgivable sin. God wants our obedience. He wants us to want to live our life for Him. He is molding and shaping us to be more like Him. He does this by washing our old life away and creating a new life in us when we belong to Christ.

For Protection: In Isaiah 54:17 (NLT) “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

To be set apart means to be put under God’s protection. This verse is written on a piece of paper and taped to my computer at work. See, my line of work is incredibly contentious. I work in us versus them environment. Our staff gets yelled at almost daily.

When I read this verse, it reminds me I’m protected from any weapon. To me, this includes verbal weapons. Since I am set apart as a member of God’s family, I can be assured God will not allow anything to come at me without being approved by Him first. He will always protect us.

Being set apart is not about being alone. It’s about being under the loving care of the One who created us for our calling, to be made new and for our protection.

How do you think God sets us apart? Why? Share it in the comments below to encourage others.