Monday, November 21, 2022

In, but not of this world (4)

It is our calling, no matter what the circumstances are, to shine like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people (Philippians 2:14-15) I wrote in my previous post.

Is that possible? Do we have God's promise that it is possible to shine in and so defeat the darkness?

Yes, we do. In 1 John 5:4-5 it is written: For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

We achieve victory over this dark world through our faith. Note that it says 'we achieve'. It is not something we can passively obtain. We must take action in order not to let this evil world influence us and eventually overwhelm us. 

We have to make daily choices in order to shine like stars. Conscious choices in our:

  • THINKING - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2)
  • TALKING - Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone (Colossians 4:6)
  • ACTING - Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God (Psalm 1:1)
Easy? Nope. Possible? Yep. Otherwise it wouldn't be asked of us. We simply cannot think like everyone else is thinking (fear, crisis, defeat, anger etc.). We simply cannot talk like everyone is talking (negative, fearful, repeating the news) etc. And last, but certainly not least, we simply cannot act like everyone else is acting (selfish, greedy, proud, lawless etc.)

The Bible clearly teaches us to live a different life, to be in this world but to not adapt its ways!

4 comments:

  1. Marja: These are very good thoughts. The denomination I belong to has as one of its guidelines that we, are to live counter-culturally. Sometimes, I find this hard to do and I believe a lot of people have either not heard of this or have chosen to ignore it. I pray for them every day. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

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    1. Counter-culturally, I like that idea Cecelia, that sums it up! Thanks for your comment.

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  2. That should be our goal, Marja - to live in the world, but not succumb to its ways.
    Blessings!

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    1. And that requires daily choices, although some things I did in the past now never cross my mind again :)

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Thanks for your visit, it is my hope and prayer that this post was an encouragement to you! Feel free to leave a comment.