BROADCASTS.com

Sparrows are the most common birds in the world, and almost every type of sparrow is small and beige with brown streaks. It’s no surprise that many people, even experienced bird-watchers, have trouble telling them apart! That’s why bird-watchers don’t just look at outside appearances to tell species apart. Even though many birds look the same on the outside, different species of birds often act differently from each other. They may also sing different songs or live in different habitats.

The look-alike birds remind me a bit of being a Christian, a follower of Jesus. Sometimes, we can look like Christians on the outside, but we might not act like Jesus at all. We might say that we follow Jesus, but the “song” we sing—our words and actions—might say differently.

Jesus saw this in His day too. He criticized the Pharisees and the religious teachers who said they followed God and looked very religious on the outside, but inside they were full of greed and pride (Matthew 23:23-28). Though they taught people about following God, they didn’t follow their own teaching (Matthew 23:1-4)!

The fact of the matter is, no matter how religious we act on the outside, the only way for us to be made clean from sin is through Jesus. He died and rose again to forgive us and make us right with God. The Bible says that when we become followers of Jesus, He makes us new and changes us (2 Corinthians 5:17). We should not conform to the way of the world or go back to our sin but be transformed to become more like Jesus.

Jesus loves us deeply, and He calls us to follow Him through every aspect of our lives. He said all God’s commands can be summed up by these two: love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). So don’t be afraid to be different from the world—stand out for Jesus and show His love in your thoughts, words, and actions. • Abby Ciona

• Are you ever tempted to make yourself look religious? You can bring this to Jesus in prayer.

• Jesus forgives sinners—including Pharisees like Nicodemus and Saul/Paul. If you’d like to dig deeper, read John 3:1-21, 7:45-52, 19:38-42; Acts 7:54–8:3, 9:1-30; and 1 Timothy 1:12-17.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)