It’s funny how we let so many things influence our walk with Christ. Whether the media we watch, or the books, music or articles we read, and even the opinions of those we love, there are so many currents trying to draw us one way or another. The biggest influencer is our own feelings about things. People we love, after all, don’t believe in Jesus, and, what is more, some who claim to, outright defy what the Scriptures say, almost creating for themselves a religion based on their own way of life as opposed to conforming to Christ. And, since we don’t want to offend these loved ones, we bow down and cater to their whims.
Beloved believer, you and I were never meant to cater to those who have strong opinions, nor the prevailing winds of culture. Culture changes every few years, and is usually dictated by some media company, changed only when a competitor gets the upper hand. Opinion changes based upon how I feel today, and trying to cater to someone’s emotional mood is more exhausting and draining than trying to walk with Jesus. So what do we do?
Jesus lived as one of us. Start there. Examine his life (through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) every day, and do your very best to emulate Him. Hear the words of Scripture (Old and New Testaments!) and take them to heart. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, who Christ lived, died and rose again to send to live inside of you. Do not conform to this world, but look forward to the next, as Christ daily transforms you in to the image He created you to be.
Romans 12
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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