In what ways should Christians be different from the culture around them? Often, a Christian life looks the same as any other American life—we work the same jobs, share the same hobbies and interests, and spend our money on the same things. On the other hand, when Christians completely reject our culture, we look intolerant, mean, irrelevant, and unappealing. What is the balance Christians can—and should—strike, when it comes to living “set apart” in this world?
(Daniel modeled the difficult third way—of being engaged with the culture while not being defined by it. In doing so, he became an appealing witness to the truth and blessing of a follower of God. Jesus Christ culminated this same approach—becoming human and caring about our interests, while maintaining his holy connection to the Father as the source of his “different and better” life.)
