The more I read about being lukewarm and Jesus' disgust for it, the more convicted my heart becomes. I am writing this series not only to share His word and teach, but also to kindle my heart to be more on fire and in love with my Savior. These tests are not meant to point fingers or make someone feel badly. They are to grow our hearts and minds closer to Jesus so that we can live for Him more freely and be radical in our love. May we open our hearts to His word and release our desires to sit on the sidelines and let others be the fire makers.
Do you {I} conform to the world to fit in?
Do you hold your tongue or go along with various ideas and thought patterns so that you fit in?
Do you sometimes know that something is wrong yet you don't say anything because you don't want to be labeled a crazy Christian?
Would those around you be surprised that you are a Christian?
Or....
Do you stand up for Christ?
Do you allow His values to guide you rather than social norms?
Do those around you know that you are a Christian because you walk the walk?
**Truly living for Jesus and not conforming to this world does not look obnoxious or holier than thou. It is not self righteous living. Living in those ways is not the way Jesus commands us to live. Rather, He instructs us to live in love.
When we are not conforming to the world and living for Him in love, we are full of His peace and joy. We are not abusive in our speech nor condescending. We never make those around us feel less than or, worse, turn them off from knowing Jesus.
Not conforming to the world does not mean we have to hide away in our homes. We are called to go out and make disciples. There is no way we will ever do that hidden away from the world.
Let me offer a few examples of living in the world but not conforming to it:
- When people around us gossip, we do not take part in it.
- When people around us use foul language, we do not use it too.
- We speak about others in kind ways even if those around us are not. If we don't have something nice to say about someone, we hold our tongues.
- We show love for people who are deemed by society as unlovable.
The list could really go on for much longer, but we get the idea.
I will leave us with two verses to ponder this week as we choose to conform less and love Jesus more.
Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, pleasing, and the perfect will of God.
{The way to renew our minds is to be immersed in His Word. The more we read His Words, the more we will be transformed to His ways and His love.}
Ephesians 4:15 - But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head - Christ.
{We can stand out for Christ and not conform to this world by speaking and behaving in love. That is the only way we will ever show Jesus to those who don't know Him. We will never win people over by being critical, mean, or holier than thou.}
May we all choose NOT to conform. May we choose to love like Jesus and make Him proud to call us His children. :)
xoxo
