"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." -- Romans 12:2
"Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, WHICH ARE GOD'S." -- 1 Corinthians 6: 15-20
"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." -- 1John 2:6
"If you love me, keep my commandments." -- John 14:15
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." -- Ephesians 4:22-24
"In ALL thy ways ACKNOWLEDGE him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine OWN EYES; FEAR THE LORD, and DEPART from evil. It shall be health to the navel, and marrow to thy bones." -- Proverbs 3: 5-8
Here's my warning.....if you are not a mature Christian, then you may not digest this well. I am not going to argue, nor am I going to be argumentative.
We often use the word 'christian' too flippantly. If you aren't, or if you are not going to live it, then do not call yourself a Christian. To be a Christian is to be Christ-like. We are to be like Christ. We are different now. We should not want to do, or have the desires to do the things of this world and flesh. When first saved, it is understandable to have to learn. You don't give a baby a steak, no they start on formula, work up to soft mashed foods, and so forth. I'm not trying to be that stiff Christian that beats you over the head for everything. However, I am saying that as we grow in Christ, we should become more and more like Him. Sad to say, we have so many Christians that are still babes in Christ. They never learn or grow, but remain on the 'bottle' their entire lives. That is not God's will for our lives. But, He is also that perfect Gentleman, who gave us the choice. We can accept Him or we can not...our choice. We can also be Christ-like...or we can just be Christ-ish. You can have as much or as little God in your life as you want.
This is where the rubber hits the road. Sinners...the world....they are just being themselves. They are living for themselves, numero uno.....and that is fine, that is all they know. They have a hole in their soul that they are trying their best to fill. There is happiness in the world, but not a true lasting joy. We all have our own opinions and thoughts on things that are 'right and wrong'. But your opinions don't matter, at least not when it comes to what the Bible says. And of course, we want to make the Bible 'say or not say' what we want it to in order to make what we want to do okay. We are human.
Let's look at some things that sinners do....not pointing a finger, just making a statement. Sinners do not go to church, do not read the Bible. Sinners curse and use the Lord's name in vain, they drink, some a little, some a lot, they get tattoos....some a little, some a lot. They get piercings and gauges. Sinners steal, some rape, molest, kidnap and murder. They have sex before marriage, they live together without the license of marriage. Sinners sell their bodies, sell and take drugs. Sinners dress any way they want. Sinners go to clubs, bars, etc. Do all sinners do this? No. There are sinners who dress modestly, there are sinners who do not drink or curse. Let's face it, there are some that even go to church. There are sinners that don't do or sell drugs, don't party and go to bars.......but, can we agree....whatever they do, or don't do, without accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, then they are still lost, they are still a sinner.
Now let's look at Christians....we are no longer our own, we've been bought with a price. We are His. Does that sound mean? Well, if you are truly a Christian it doesn't. IF you have truly been saved you should have new desires. Desires to please the Father and not the flesh. Is that a daily battle? Yes!! We must daily crucify the flesh! Being a Christian is not easy....it's not for wimps, it's for warriors!
However, God is not going to force you to be Christ-like. You will be blessed more, you will gain spiritually if you do. The more you grow and know of God, the more you want to know and grow! But, sadly, there are more Christ-ish Christians around today. The world certainly doesn't care to become a Christian, conviction is getting harder and harder...why? Because the world cannot see a difference between themselves and a Christian anymore. Some Christians are so hard nosed, stiff necked that they run sinners off by telling them what they are doing wrong, instead of extending love and grace and letting GOD show them what they are doing is wrong. It is our place to love, not judge. However....we are scripturally commanded to be transformed from this world.
Too many Christians now blur the lines, live life right on the edge....why? Because they are not crucifying the flesh and feeding the spirit. Or they are feeding more to the flesh than to the spirit. That dude has long hair. That girl has piercings in her nose, all over her ears, lips, eyebrows, gauges in her lobes. That person has tattoos....oh but all of that is not specifically written in the Bible...thou shalt not have a tattoo, thou shalt not have a beer......oh come on, quit splitting hairs...that's what we did as a kid to our parents to try to sway them into letting us do what we wanted to do. That is the enemy whispering in your ear, selling you a con straight from the pits of Hell. Why would the world want what we have when we look like they do, speak like they do, dress like they do, do things they do, go where they do???
Jesus came to save the world, so that we may have eternal life. Being Christ-like, we are to have that same goal, to lead others to salvation. I am not in any way saying I am judging someone. But we are fruit inspectors....if it walks like a duck, looks like a duck, sounds like a duck...chances are...it's a duck!! Are you Christ-like or just Christ-ish? Are you truly sold out to serving the Lord? I'm not telling you that everything is wrong and as a Christian you can no longer have fun or do anything. But, we must live a life that points others to Christ. Like my Mother always said....listen to that little voice in your head...your gut...if it's warning you, then something is wrong and don't do it. She also said, if you have to ask if it's wrong, chances are, it is. We live in a world that has the philosophy, if it feels right, do it. It's your body, it's your life, you can do whatever you want. Well, if you are a Christian....that's a lie that Satan has sold you. You are no longer your own. You are God's, you better get His permission before you make a decision. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes every day. I am weak, I am no match for this flesh nor Satan. That's why I daily have to put the whole armour of God on and STAND. My heart's desire is to be more Christ-like every day. Where the argument insues is that as a Christian we aren't where we should be, and when we feel that tug of conviction, then the enemy whispers in your ear that oh you are okay, those goody two shoes are just judging you...they are hating on you because they aren't you. Pray, pray and pray again. God does not tempt you, he would never lead you somewhere that you should not go, nor get you to do something you should not do. Seek His will first. He never fails. God help me to be what you want me to be, to lead others to You. God forgive me, and help me not to be a hinderance to anyone's Christian walk...sinner or Christian! People are watching you......Y-O-U are the only Bible some folks ever read!
