We Are not The Same
We live in a broken and hurting world. People all around us are sick mentally, emotionally, and physically. Families have lost value and structure and the result is a society of self-centered, self-focused, broken and needy people.
As believers we have been called and anointed to reach out to the people around us who are in need.
As believers we have been called and anointed to reach out to the people around us who are in need.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27 ESV
When James wrote this verse, orphans and widows were the needy. They had no way to provide for themselves without the protection and assistance of the people in their community. In today's world, people claim to be needy in order to avoid having to work for things. It has become the norm for people to live off government handouts. We have become an entitled society in which we think we deserve the nice car, nice home, fancy phones, and cool toys but we refuse to accept the responsibility that comes before and with ownership. Society's values and the idea of right and wrong have been eroded by the devaluation of the family.
James is very clear that we are to help those truly in need but in addition, he gives us a very specific warning to not become like the world around us. This is serious business. We cannot claim to know and follow Jesus Christ and at the same time live selfishly and irresponsibly without experiencing the wrath of God.
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Romans 12:2 Amplified
As professing believers in Jesus, we cannot live like everyone else. We must choose and seek and pursue the ways of God regardless of what anyone else is doing. The promises of God will elude us if we are trying to live according to the world. God's promises are manifested in the lives of all who seek to live like Christ.
What does living like Christ look like? Well, to put it in todays terms, it would mean things like this:
- obey the laws of the land (this includes the speed limit)
- put God's will above your own desires
- put the needs of others before your own
- honor your mother and father (this has nothing to do with how your rate their parenting skills)
- be selfless
- don't have sex outside of marriage
- work hard to save your marriage
- work hard at your job
- refuse to gossip, criticize, or be judgmental
These are just a few things and I am sure you can add many others. As children of God, we are called to live a better life than the rest of the world. Better not necessarily in material things (although there is nothing wrong in having nice possessions) but better in the condition of our heart and in the richness of God's promises manifested in our lives.
Professing Christ with our lips while denying Him by the way we live will prevent the blessings of God from pouring through the windows of heaven into our lives. We are not all the same. We are the same kind of being - a body, soul, and spirit but the similarity ends there. You either believe God is Who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do or you don't believe. There is no middle ground.
When Jesus drew the line in the sand while the woman caught in adultery stood before Him, her accusers left. He then made two profound statements to this woman. One, He did not condemn her for her sins. And two, He told her to go and sin no more. He is making the same statements to you.
Like this woman, you have been given another chance. Turn away from anything that does not agree with God's word. Let the holy scriptures shape and establish the life Jesus died for you to have.
You are not the same as the people of this world but it is up to you to live like it.
Heidirn
James 1:27 ESV
When James wrote this verse, orphans and widows were the needy. They had no way to provide for themselves without the protection and assistance of the people in their community. In today's world, people claim to be needy in order to avoid having to work for things. It has become the norm for people to live off government handouts. We have become an entitled society in which we think we deserve the nice car, nice home, fancy phones, and cool toys but we refuse to accept the responsibility that comes before and with ownership. Society's values and the idea of right and wrong have been eroded by the devaluation of the family.
James is very clear that we are to help those truly in need but in addition, he gives us a very specific warning to not become like the world around us. This is serious business. We cannot claim to know and follow Jesus Christ and at the same time live selfishly and irresponsibly without experiencing the wrath of God.
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Romans 12:2 Amplified
As professing believers in Jesus, we cannot live like everyone else. We must choose and seek and pursue the ways of God regardless of what anyone else is doing. The promises of God will elude us if we are trying to live according to the world. God's promises are manifested in the lives of all who seek to live like Christ.
What does living like Christ look like? Well, to put it in todays terms, it would mean things like this:
- obey the laws of the land (this includes the speed limit)
- put God's will above your own desires
- put the needs of others before your own
- honor your mother and father (this has nothing to do with how your rate their parenting skills)
- be selfless
- don't have sex outside of marriage
- work hard to save your marriage
- work hard at your job
- refuse to gossip, criticize, or be judgmental
These are just a few things and I am sure you can add many others. As children of God, we are called to live a better life than the rest of the world. Better not necessarily in material things (although there is nothing wrong in having nice possessions) but better in the condition of our heart and in the richness of God's promises manifested in our lives.
Professing Christ with our lips while denying Him by the way we live will prevent the blessings of God from pouring through the windows of heaven into our lives. We are not all the same. We are the same kind of being - a body, soul, and spirit but the similarity ends there. You either believe God is Who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do or you don't believe. There is no middle ground.
When Jesus drew the line in the sand while the woman caught in adultery stood before Him, her accusers left. He then made two profound statements to this woman. One, He did not condemn her for her sins. And two, He told her to go and sin no more. He is making the same statements to you.
Like this woman, you have been given another chance. Turn away from anything that does not agree with God's word. Let the holy scriptures shape and establish the life Jesus died for you to have.
You are not the same as the people of this world but it is up to you to live like it.
Heidirn
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