Most people put a lot of effort into being like othersaround them. We also tend to follow the thoughts oropinions of society threw television, movies, booksand the internet. People just have a natural tendencyto just want to fit in.
But, as believers we are under particularscrutiny, especially by people who do not share ourfaith.
We should be Holy because we should reflect God'scharacter, He is our heavenly father, He has createdus, He has chosen us as His own, therefore we shouldbe Holy because He wants us to be like Him.
So instead of trying to fit into society we should beconcentrating our efforts on fitting into God's planand likewise getting others to fit into His plan aswell.
1st Corinthians 10:31-32 "Therefore whether you eat ordrink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.Give no offence, either to the Jews, or to the Greeks,or to the church of God."
God wants us to take seriously the privilege ofrepresenting Christ in our homes, communities, andworkplaces.
But the question is why are we more likely to be moreconcerned about what others might think or say aboutus if we stand up for God in these situations?
What we lack in most cases is a healthy fear of God.This fear of the Lord would enable us to resist sin aswell as risk the wrath and ridicule of the unbelieversand the wicked who take up most of the common views inour society, which are contrary to what we believe.
That fear of the lord will give us courage,direction, and motivation to make tough choices andlive with Godly behavior despite the consequencesbrought to us by the wicked.
We know from scripture that God is a God of love whoshows mercy to sinners but the book of psalmsindicates that He hates people who commit iniquity andwickedness.
God definitely gets angry at sin that injures anddestroys His creation, but God's righteousnessis not a fit of anger. It is rather a carefullyconsidered application of a just disapproval andpenalty against wrong doing.
In fact if you give up sin to the best of your abilitythe lord will honor your prayer's more, show you moremiracles, and bless you more often than not.
Isaiah 59:1-2 "Behold, the LORD'S hand is notshortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,that it cannot hear: But your iniquities haveseparated between you and your God, and your sins havehid his face from you, that he will not hear.
He takes our sin seriously; therefore, we need to takeHis Holiness seriously. Delight in God's law, meditateand commit to God's ways.
This includes defending God and making a stand againstanyone who would have us do otherwise. Which alsoincludes mom, dad, brother, sister, best friend,teacher, and so on and so forth. Take a look at whatJesus has to say about this.
Matthew 10:34-36 "Think not that I am come to sendpeace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.For I am come to set a man at variance against hisfather, and the daughter against her mother, and thedaughter in law against her mother in law. And a man'sfoes shall be they of his own household."
But Wait, Jesus also goes on to say the following.
Matthew 10:37-38 He that loveth father or mother morethan me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son ordaughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he thattaketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is notworthy of me.
Those who wish to take up their cross and follow Jesusmust pay the price of repentance.
Repentance is merely saying "I am sorry for my sins"and actually meaning it. It may also be accomplishedby tears and a sad countenance but true repentancemeans turning from wicked ways, from thoughts or actsthat displease God and turning toward a life thatreflects Godly ways.
Psalms 5:4. "For You are not a God who takes pleasurein wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You."
It's common today for us to excuse our faults with theattitude, "Nobody's perfect" or say "God will forgiveme of my sins". While these are true and can be usedto argue a point of no one person being better thananother no matter how good they think they are,because "All fall short of the glory of God". Itshould not be used as an excuse to continue sinning ifyou understand what you are doing is wrong.
Most importantly, try to be strong and deligent inkeeping God's word and don't let anyone change yourmind concerning the doing of God's will because yoursalvation may depend on it.
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