Change Agent

Time progresses but does the word of God change to fit 2019/2020?

“Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?” James 4:4

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” 1 John 2:15

When we accepted Jesus, we made the decision to leave some things behind, things which could no longer be part of our born-again lives. First, we had to transform our minds and we agreed to have a new set of values, the ones that mattered to God. Contrary to God’s call to obedience and sacrifice, our culture says if it feels good, do it. The world’s standards are shown by what we see on the internet and social media. If we are not careful, sex, beauty and money can be major distractions. Values are being compromised. God doesn’t compete. Instead, He offers love and grace and never forces us to surrender, it’s a choice. I still believe that Jesus calls us to be different. I don’t have to be like the world to win them to Christ. I don’t have to compromise what the Bible clearly states as sin to be a witness. My heart breaks because I’ve known people who have told me that they were delivered from some things, only to compromise and feel justified in going back to what they were delivered from, all in the name of, “I’m gonna do me and you can’t judge me.”

Could you imagine Paul and Silas visiting us in the year 2019 and addressing many of us believers? Are we compromising because we want to fit in with the world? Are we afraid of being too peculiar? We know the enemy is in the world, but are we letting him in our lives, too? It all begins with a little bit of _____. You used to call it sin and you even researched and found scripture that confirmed your stance. But now you say, “Well grace covers me. We don’t have to live like squares and how can I minister to someone by acting so super holy?”

There was only one perfect person and God DOES NOT require perfection. With that in mind, let’s not abuse God’s grace. Paul challenges us to reach for a higher standard, not only to set an example to other believers, but to also make unbelievers wonder what we have that is special enough to change everything about our lives. Let’s confidently set an excellent example of the Christian life, not the perfect life, but a changed, set-apart life.