Living Distinctively as Followers of Jesus
Introduction
There is a persistent tension in the life of every believer. It is an invitation to stand apart from the world. There is also a caution never to settle or compromise with the darkness that surrounds us. This call is not a suggestion. It is not a choice to be weighed. It is a command rooted in the teachings and example of Jesus Himself. In a culture that prizes inclusion, compromise, and “peace at any price,” followers of Christ are called to something greater. They are summoned to a higher allegiance. This allegiance refuses to make peace with evil. Instead, it shines a light that reveals a different way—a way of hope, healing, and genuine peace.
The Different Kingdom
As followers of Jesus, we do not simply adopt a different set of beliefs; we inhabit an entirely different kingdom. Our citizenship is not in any earthly nation or system. It is in the kingdom of God, a kingdom marked by love, justice, and truth. Jesus did not come to offer minor adjustments to the world’s way of living. He came to upend the status quo. He invited ordinary people into a radical new community. He called us to a life that often surprises and challenges us at every turn.
We are meant to live by values that seem upside-down to those around us. We love our enemies. We forgive those who have wronged us. We seek to serve rather than to be served. These are not just lofty ideals; they are the shape of our daily lives, reflecting the narrow path Jesus described in Matthew 7:12-14:
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Christ’s teaching is clear: there are but two ways. These are right and wrong, good and evil. One leads to heaven and the other leads to hell. There is no middle ground, no compromise, no safe neutrality. To live in God’s kingdom is to choose the narrow way. It involves denying ourselves and mortifying our corrupt desires. We must resist temptation daily. We must walk carefully in the light of Christ.
Why Not Make Peace with Darkness?
There are many reasons why followers of Jesus do not make peace with darkness. Chief among these reasons is the nature and character of God Himself. God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). To make peace with darkness is to betray our identity as children of God. It is to lose sight of the hope and healing our world so desperately needs.
Darkness, both literal and spiritual, is the absence of light. It is the domain of confusion, chaos, injustice, and brokenness. When we compromise with darkness, we accept evil. When we tolerate injustice, we become complicit. We turn a blind eye to suffering. These are the very things Jesus came to overcome.
We do not make peace with darkness because:
- We are called to be light-bearers. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). Our presence in the world is meant to expose darkness and lead others toward truth and hope.
- Joining with darkness undermines our witness. When believers compromise with evil, the distinctiveness of Christ’s kingdom is lost. Instead of shining, we blend in, and the world sees no difference, no reason to hope, no invitation to change.
- God’s ultimate victory is assured. We trust that Christ will one day defeat all things that stand against God. Evil maybe powerful now, but it is doomed to be overcome. Our refusal to make peace with darkness is an act of faith in this promised victory.
- Compromise leads to destruction. Jesus warns that the broad way is easy, but it leads to destruction. The narrow way is hard, but it leads to life. Making peace with darkness seems convenient, but it ultimately destroys our souls and our communities.
Living in a World of Darkness
It is tempting to believe at times. We think the world’s systems—whether political, economic, or cultural—can be trusted to deliver peace. Yet, this trust is in their ability to deliver justice. But history reminds us that human systems are flawed, fragile, and easily corrupted. Believers join in politics or government when necessary. They hope to inspire compassion and justice. Nevertheless, our ultimate loyalty is never to these systems. We stay careful and thoughtful, never placing our trust fully in any human leader or institution.
Our main loyalty is to Jesus and His kingdom. We seek the welfare of our cities and engage responsibly in society. We are always mindful that our hope lies in Christ alone. We do not join forces with things that go against God. We do not make peace with evil for the sake of expedience, comfort, or acceptance.
The Narrow Way: Walking in the Light
Matthew 7:12-14 is a stern reminder that the way of Christ is not easy, popular, or widely traveled. The strait gate and the narrow way demand daily vigilance, self-denial, and obedience. There is no middle place, no safe compromise between light and darkness. All are either walking in the path of life or the way of destruction.
We must treat others as we wish to be treated. We should consider their needs and circumstances as if they were our own. This radical empathy lies at the heart of the kingdom. It invites us to love expansively, forgive generously, and act with kindness. We are called to do this even when it makes no sense to the world. To walk this path is to resist temptation. It is to mortify selfish desires and endure tribulation. Trust always that the favor of God sustains us. The hope of eternal life makes every struggle worthwhile.
It is a narrow way, and few find it, but the invitation is extended to all. The way of life leads not only to eternal bliss. It also brings present comfort. The peace of God surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
The Temptation to Compromise
We will always hear voices urging us to compromise. They tell us to make peace with darkness for the sake of unity, success, or relevance. The world’s gate is wide, and many are walking its broad path. History shows many who chose the narrow road. They stood firm in their faith. Their lives became beacons of hope long after their generation passed.
Our calling is not to be fashionable or to fit in; it is to be faithful. As real disciples of Christ, we are often seen as unfashionable, peculiar, or even divisive. This singularity is not a burden. It is a gift. It is the mark of those who have chosen life over destruction and light over darkness.
Shining in Dark Places
To follow Jesus is to be a source of light in dark places. We stand apart, not with arrogance or self-righteousness, but with humility and hope. Our witness is not in withdrawing from the world. It is in engaging it with the love of Christ. We refuse to settle for anything less than God’s goodness, even when the road is difficult and lonely.
We are called to show the world a different way—a way that brings hope, healing, and true peace. This is not achieved by joining with darkness. It is achieved by faithfully adhering to Christ and shining as lights. We do this until the day when God is fully in charge of everything. Every act of kindness is a step on the narrow way. Every moment of forgiveness also takes us on this path. Every refusal to compromise testifies to the reality of the kingdom of God in our midst.
Conclusion
The decision not to make peace with darkness is neither easy nor popular. It demands discipline, courage, and unwavering faith. As followers of Jesus, we are invited to choose the narrow way. We must stand firm in our allegiance to Christ. We are called to shine as lights in a world that desperately needs hope. Our loyalty is not to human systems, leaders, or ideologies. It belongs to the kingdom of God—a kingdom of truth, justice, and love.
May we be found faithful in our generation, refusing to compromise, and choosing the way that leads to life. For in Christ, the darkness is overcome, and the light shines for all to see. Let us walk this road together, trusting in God’s goodness, until the day when all things are made new.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 