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b'Sparrows are the most common birds in the world, and almost every type of sparrow is small and beige with brown streaks. It\\u2019s no surprise that many people, even experienced bird-watchers, have trouble telling them apart! That\\u2019s why bird-watchers don\\u2019t 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 \\u201csong\\u201d we sing\\u2014our words and actions\\u2014might 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\\u2019t 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\\u2019s commands can be summed up by these two: love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). So don\\u2019t be afraid to be different from the world\\u2014stand out for Jesus and show His love in your thoughts, words, and actions. \\u2022 Abby Ciona\\u2022 Are you ever tempted to make yourself look religious? You can bring this to Jesus in prayer.\\u2022 Jesus forgives sinners\\u2014including Pharisees like Nicodemus and Saul/Paul. If you\\u2019d like to dig deeper, read John 3:1-21, 7:45-52, 19:38-42; Acts 7:54\\u20138:3, 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\\u2019s will is\\u2014his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nMatt.23.23-Matt.23.28|Eph.4.17-Eph.4.32|Rom.12.2|Matt.23.1-Matt.23.12'