Leading The Way - Devotional for December 28
December 28, 2025
Different Is Good
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
God is different from humanity in so many ways—in His purity, His righteousness, and His inability to ignore sin. This is why our culture is so enraged about the holiness of God. They want a God who is like them—someone they can manipulate and who will endorse their sinfulness. This is why these worldly people are dragging Christians into courtrooms trying to remove all semblance of God’s holiness from the public sphere, whether the Ten Commandments from government buildings or prayer from schools—anything that reminds them of the righteous otherness of God.
When we forget that God’s will for us is to be different, when we forget the call to be holy, we easily fall into temptation. We begin rationalizing our sin. We start conforming to the image of the world instead of the image of Jesus.
However, when we obey the will of God in our lives, we become different from the world around us. Different will not always be easy or popular, and some people will condemn or taunt us for our holiness. But others will notice that we have peace in the midst of trouble and joy in the midst of trials. They will be curious about what sets us apart. For when we seek purity, forgiveness, love, and compassion, we imitate our heavenly Father and shine His light into this dark world.
Prayer: God, I pray that as I walk in obedience to You, I will become more and more different from the world so that others will notice and be drawn to You. Help me never to lose Your vision of holiness for my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Discipleship 101: God’s Holiness: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
Want more devotionals from Leading The Way? Sign up for MY Devotional and have a devotional delivered directly to your inbox daily!
PARTNER WITH US
We are Leading The Way for people living in spiritual darkness, at home and around the world, to discover the light of Christ as we passionately proclaim uncompromising Truth. Visit us today at ltw.org.
Listen to Dr. Michael Youssef on today's broadcast of Leading The Way at OnePlace.com.
Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
