We are invited to become God's holy people. The word "holy" in English has a connotation of being especially pure, and spiritual. The word in the original language contains more of a though of "separated for," or "dedicated to."
Becoming a Christian is a choice of allegiances We are choosing to step across a line, and dedicating ourselves to a relationship with the Father of All. We are choosing to adopt his priorities, his standards, and his values, as our own. We choose his family as our family. We choose his Kingdom as our Kingdom.
We are not negating our connection to our own personal families, nations, or communities. We are expanding our relationships. We are expanding our commitments.
As God designed the world, and people, he instructions about life are wiser, truer, and more congruent with our design. Living in agreement with his standards brings the world closer to his intentions. It will make the world a brighter, better, and more healthy place.
The world doesn't agree, of course. It has its own ideas. Groups of people band together to promote their view of better. And they opose other groups view of better.
"Civility" was a buzzword circulating in the US a while ago. The political climate had gotten so caustic, even the politicians called for a different way of treating each other. The buzz was short-lived.
God's standard is: "Love you enemies." Which can be parsed as: "Treat everyone with love." Speak about your enemies the same way you speak about your friends, and family. Serve, bless, and encourage without reguard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, or political affiliation.
Jesus died for his enemies, so that they might be able to be right with God, and become part of his family. Jesus died for those who hate him. We have given allegiance to Jesus, and he has become our model. Not to praise, though we should. No to acclaim, though we should. But to practice. To live, as he lived.
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