Not of the World.

From yesterday-

We are NOT SUPPOSED to be of the WORLD!  Yet how many Christ followers are so close to the world you can't tell they are Christ followers at all?

Are we supposed to be able to tell if someone is a Christian by looking at them? We have some religious organizations that you can tell right off - Quakers, Amish, various monks in their garb, Catholic priests and nuns in their religious outfits, certain pastors that wear collars, there are more I'm sure, but those are a few we can recognize. Do their outfits mean they are Christ followers, or fathers of other religions? Not necessarily, because anyone can don an outfit without their hearts being true.

Back to the question, are we supposed to be able to tell if someone is a Christian by looking at them?

I don't think so, because if a person had seen the disciples and apostles, and Jesus Himself walking about they wouldn't have known they were all Christ followers, or followers of God the Father. We aren't supposed to wear flashing neon signs upon ourselves. Not that you can't if that's what you believe God is calling you to do.  Our actions in our everyday lives are what defines us as Christians.  Our accepting Christ on a daily basis.  That ol' saying- I'm not perfect I'm just forgiven- has some weight to it because Christians can be the screaming banshee who is suffering through a spiritual attack on their way to being the most peaceful, serene Christ follower down the road.

No, we are NOT supposed to conform to the world, because the world is ruled by Satan. Wherever Satan has a foothold, we are supposed to go elsewhere.

We have this as a guide--

Php_4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

If we can't think on these things we really need to be questioning out spiritual walk with Christ.

Honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, praise.   Can we read these words and relate them to our lives? Are we thinking on these things and all things related to these things?

Rom 12:9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 

Rom 12:10  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 

Rom 12:11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 

Rom 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 

Rom 12:13  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 

Rom 12:14  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 

Rom 12:15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 

Rom 12:16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 

Rom 12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 

Rom 12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 

Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 

Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

This is NOT being conformed to the world.

Knowing to do good and doing it, this is not being conformed to the world.

Rom_12:2  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.

We have to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and this is how we are NOT conformed to the world and this will PROVE what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

If we are blending with the world we have to ask ourselves if we are shunning the will of God.

If we are compromising our Christian principles then we truly need to seek forgiveness.

It isn't easy NOT to conform to the world- Satan wants us to join in because when he gets us to conform to the world, we are conformed to his will and not God's.

Please, Father in Heaven, please keep us from evil- all evil including being conformed to this world! Help us to be YOURS in all ways in our lives! Please, save us from ourselves! Please, forgive us! Help us forgive others! All in the name of our Savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ, now and forever!!!!!!!