Romans 12:2, Do not be formed to this age, but be transformed in the renewal of your mind to examine what the will of God is—what is good, pleasing, and perfect. (Own Greek translation.)
Thus, this is what it means to be new creatures from Baptism (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17). To be baptised Christians is to no longer think as the world thinks, or to act as the world acts. The word of the cross is foolish to the world, but we cling to its power and wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). The world celebrates sexual perversions, but we proclaim heterosexuality, sex within marriage (i.e. abstinence), opposite-sex marriage, two genders, condemning porn, etc. The world holds grudges, but we preach unconditional forgiveness. The world clings to the self; we cling to Christ crucified.
So then, as Christians we don’t look like everyone else. Jesus says we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16), whether for better or for worse. We’re supposed to stick out. Sometimes, it’s for our good. Other times, it’s for our bad. People are going to hate us because we’re so different, but we have to be careful. If people hate us for our sake, we’re doing something wrong. If people hate us for Christ’s sake, we’re doing something right.
The Lutheran Column 