In my business of industrial recycling, I handle items that are traded through the scrap metals market. Recently, due to an increase in stolen commodities being sold in the Denver, Colorado, area, very strict laws covering identifying anyone selling things like scrap copper, brass or aluminum have been enacted.
The identification process involves a personal signature on an electronic screen. However, also included is a statement which begins with, “I swear and affirm that I am the legal owner of the property…” Of course, I could not verify in this manner due to what Jesus instructed in Matthew 5:33-37 regarding not swearing. As a result, I won’t be able to do my business in this particular city.
Typically, choosing to affirm is an acceptable alternative to swearing in such matters. In this case, though, the scrap company was operating under a county-wide mandate and could not accept just affirming. This is a company I have conducted business with for almost forty years. Fortunately, I do have other areas to sell my material.
My experience illustrates what Jesus said of those who follow Him:
“‘I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world’” (John 17:14-16).
In small ways and sometimes in big ways, we are reminded that being a Christian means that we don’t fit in this world, its governments, businesses or religious practices. Sabbath and Holy Day observances set us apart. Refusal to join in military service, not voting or being involved in political elections, rejecting jury participation and following biblical guidelines for such things as marriage, foods we eat and don’t eat, keeping God’s weekly and annual Holy Days and rejecting this world’s pagan holidays, or simply how we conduct ourselves in society at large, are among some of the ways in which we are, and must be, different.
The lesson I take away from my recent experience is that we can unexpectedly come face to face with challenges that may test us to stand up for the Truth and to reaffirm that we are indeed “not of this world.” At times like this, it is helpful to be reminded of what Paul wrote:
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20).