For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

1 Jn 3:11-15(ESV)
Different…Odd…Unique…Strange…Peculiar…Special…all these terms and many more are used to described something that is not consistent with a norm.  As John elaborates on the test of love concerning the experience of God, He commanded his readers, “Do not be like….”  Simply, he commanded Christ followers then, and those of us now, to be different…odd…unique…you get the point.  The norm is the world system characterized by Cain who violently butchered his brother because his actions were different, righteous, compared to his.  Interestingly, John indicates that the same tension still exists in the world for those who “know God.”
What does this truth teach us about the “relevancy” of a church to the culture around it?  In one sense, it teaches us that the world around us does not share the same moral and social values imparted by God.  Therefore, our relevance to society is in displaying a previously unknown, unnatural moral righteousness that glorifies God and honors His Word.  Secondly, our relevance is demonstrated as we engage issues of social injustice and advocate/embrace those who have little or no voice in society.  In this way, God is honored as His people respect the dignity and value of all people, and society is blessed by the contributions made by those who are healed and restored.
A few weeks ago, I was conversing with a couple with whom I had just made an acquaintance.  In our conversation, they expressed how thankful they were for our church being a people who were willing to let their facilities be “used up.”  They personally benefited from the various groups and ministries that use the building regularly and expressed their gratitude.  In the process, one of them commented, “It is not common for a church to offer their facilities to be used by other groups no matter how good or noble the cause” (I am paraphrasing).  I responded, “That is a sad commentary on the character of our churches today.”
In that moment, I was reminded of a quote from Dr. Cornel West that a friend had recently shared with me.  “Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.”  And let’s face it, if the spirit of Cain thrives in society some people are not going to be happy!  But, if loving people in public is a test of experiencing God, are you experiencing God?  Why, or why not?