by David Brenneman
"In our divisive and vindictive age, we have the opportunity to shine the light of love, grace, and forgiveness, showing to those who betray us that the love of Jesus is real and it makes a real difference. Let it always be said that followers of Jesus are faithful and true—even in a world of betrayal such as the World of the End. Don’t let such a world trip you up or drag you down. Instead, be faithful." - Dr. David Jeremiah.
"Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." Romans 12:17-18.
Romans 12 has in its opening words about being transformed. To transform is to go from one state to another. One form into another.
This doesn't mean to cover over to appear as something else. A transformed life in Christ is one that is new, different and good.
Without any doubt we are truly living in the days of Noah. Go shopping, go to work, try to live peaceably in some places and you find yourself face-to-face with in-your-face people. Forcing their point of view at you.
Romans 12:17 speaks to respecting what is right in the sight of all men. All men are NOT going to accept your doing this because they want what's right to be subjective.
What's right can only be defined by one who's perfect. Perfection is only found in Jesus Christ. It's not found in my definition of it or your definition of it.
Christians are exhorted to be holy as He is holy. That is the definition of the level of perfection. God's holiness is the standard. Our world wants what it wants when it wants it with no regard to the consequences.
Look at the two passages where one place was obliterated because of sins so heinous that the Lord Jesus couldn't permit them to continue, the other almost erased a tribe from Israel. The city where Lot lived. Obliterated, incinerated. Wiped from existence. Jerusalem almost suffered the same way. Judges 19-20.
Proverbs says that evil will not win the day. Jesus says that He is going to return to deal with the sins of this world once and for all.
"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." Romans 12:2.
The renewing of your mind ought only be in the teaching of the Spirit of God. Not worldly supposition or through psychoanalysis.
The truth of God is what stands the test of time. Not ideologies or anything like that derived from the mind of man.
We are at war, regardless of your point of view, on that matter.
You face daily challenges that vie for your heart and mind.
You are facing coercion. You are facing deceptions. You are facing the weaponry of the god of this world.
Only in Christ are we suited up in the whole armor of God. A suit that protects all vital organs. The mind, the heart.
Our world is trying to silence Christians. Christianity is the greatest threat that the Satanic forces in our world faces when those Christians are living in obedience to God's Word.
How do you prepare for battle?
This is the right perspective of looking at the day facing you.
No you're not just visiting this person or that place.
No you're not just shopping for this or that.
No you're not just reading.
No you're not just going to work to do a job.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that people see your good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.
We are taking the light of Jesus Christ out into the darkness of the world. The world hates the Light according to the book of John. In the 21st century this hasn't changed.
If you're conformed to this world then you're exhibiting the traits of darkness...not the light.
Chameleons are the closest to absolute conformists.
Are you living for Jesus or for what's right in your own eyes? In the days of Noah person after person lived for what was right in their own eyes. When the rains came and the deeps burst forth with the waters, only then did humanity realize that Noah had spoken the truth.
Is any of your day today devoted to Christ? Are you going to spend any of it in giving your undivided attention to Him? That account you will give Jesus is what you did in your life for Jesus. Those times you spent in the Word of God. Those moments spent on your knees in prayer. Those times you were the hands and feet of Jesus. Doing for others as He’s done for you.
Maybe it's your time to rethink how you approach your day.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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