by David Brenneman
Romans 12:2 NASB "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
"so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:11 NASB
"for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." Romans 11:29 NASB
How often do you "go with the flow" vs standing on God's Word? Quite often, I will admit, it's often less painful in the moment to go with the flow.
But what does it say? "Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:12-17 NASB
It's not going to be an easy ride walking against what the world offers that it calls living.
We aren't to be like the world. We're supposed to be different.
Was reading another post that was in my Facebook memories. Light has but one indiscriminate job. To reveal, to illuminate, to make visible what has been hidden.
We read in many places in the Gospels where Jesus says that we are indeed workers in this world for the Father. We have responsibilities. We aren't to run from them nor are we to try to hide that light given to us from the world.
To hide that light is to give into conformity.
To hide that light is to give in to a selfish faith.
To be blunt, just because you came to Christ for salvation, doesn't at all mean that you can take it easy and sit on the sidelines.
You aren't to put anything or anyone above your relationship with Jesus.
Yet in big ways and small we conform because it hurts. Because it hurts less when we do. We conform in small things and bigger things as time goes by. A hardened heart doesn't happen overnight.
We can be selfish in that we indeed congratulate ourselves on being in our Bible yet not allow it to convict us of sins or sinful practices.
We can be selfish in that we might attend a Church but refuse to be a servant of God.
We can be selfish in that we honor God on a Sunday morning, singing along with others, yet sing unspiritually healthy songs during the week. Songs that honestly celebrate immorality, etc.
We can be so self focused that we neglect those people that God's put in our path for us to be a light to.
We cannot live to serve Christ and put conditions on it ourselves.
Look at your life this day. Would you see yourself as all in for Jesus or only when it suits your needs and purposes?
Are you too busy for God in your life?
My friend, read again what conform means. Read again what we are not to do.
In Christ we are to be about the Father’s business, just as Jesus was Himself. We are able to fully know what that is in the Great Commission. We aren't getting a "get out of Hell free" card to go and do what we want. We aren't being given a license to live for self and hide that light of Jesus in us.
Really consider what you've allowed into your life that, should you be honest, you know that Jesus would not approve of.
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