Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:11 ESV)
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV)
Conformity to the world’s value system is evidence that a work of grace has not transformed the heart and mind. The man, who is born of the Spirit of God, will not only seek to separate himself from worldliness – but will also diligently pursue holiness.
There are many who desire to transform Christianity in order to make it more easily acceptable to our present culture. Church members often desire the broad road rather than the narrow way that leads to godliness. In Romans 12:2, Paul instructs us: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
Read your Bible and you will discover that there should be an enormous gap between Christians and the actions and beliefs of non-Christians. David writes:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” (Psalm 1 ESV)
The Christian refrains from sin because God declares it wrong. He will not be guided by the world’s standard of right and wrong. The Christian does not love the way of the world or the treasures of this world. He loves and delights in Jesus Christ because the love of the Father is in him. All the desires of the flesh, eyes, and pride in possessions are from the world – not God. The world is passing away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-18 ESV) Jesus Christ gave Himself for our sins to deliver us from this present evil world.
Filed under: Bible, Christianity, God, Samuel A. Cain | Tagged: Conformity, pursue holiness, Sin |
Samuel at Gilgal 
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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Reblogged this on My Delight and My Counsellors.
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THE APPROVAL OF MEN? BY STEVE FINNELL
Is it possible to seek the approval of men and be an effective servant of Christ? To go with the flow works well unless there is a waterfall at the end of the river. Then the ride can get a little bumpy.
Galatians 1:10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
The apostle Paul said if I were “still” trying to please men. Obviously while Paul was a Pharisee he was trying to please men.
Do men today continue in their denominations to please friends and relatives?
John 12:42-43 Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.
Are there those today who know in their heart that Jesus was correct when He said “has been baptized shall be saved,” but will not confess it because they fear being ostracized by church members, friends and relatives?
James 4:4 You adulteresses, do you not know the friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
If we have friendship with the world, then we get their approval. Is that approval worth becoming an enemy of God?
Luke 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.
If all believers and the world speak well of you, do you think you might want to reconsider your life style, as well as your faith?
2 Timothy 4:2-3 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
If men do not like what the Bible teaches, they will find people who will teach what meets their approval.
We sometimes think that speaking the truth in love means that we should water down the gospel, compromise the requirements for salvation, accept the sins of the world or simply offer excuses for sin.
CAN YOU SEEK THE APPROVAL OF MEN AND STILL SERVE CHRIST?
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com
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