A Living Example

Scripture: Romans 12:2 (NKJV) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

We live in a society where many things have been deemed okay. However, many of those same things are not okay by God’s standards. As followers of Christ, we are charged with living in the “world” but not acting like the world. Our lifestyle should represent Christ and not the world. However, past sin, feelings, and/or faulty thinking can cause a Christian to compromise. Sadly, Christians blur the worldly lines in many areas. Some areas that may result in blurred lines are abortion, halloween, homosexuality, the deity of Christ, shacking up, astrology and pre-marital sex (fornication) among adults to name a few. Some may believe that it is unfair to expect humans that are cloaked in sin to live Godly ALL the time. Most believers know Romans 3:23 (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God) and they use that to justify sin. However, while many are okay with resting in Romans 3:23 they forget about Romans 12:2 (do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind). It is impossible for humans not to sin no matter how “holy” they believe they are. We all sin in word, thought, and deed. In addition, as we grow in Christ, we should sin less but we will never be sinless. The only choice Believers have is to stay in the Word, pray, and depend on the Holy Spirit. The Bible is clear about what we are up against and how to fight it.

As Christians, we have been given an infallible playbook. The book of wisdom tells us that there is a way that seems right to man, but that its end leads to destruction. Romans 6:23, tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. Matthew 7:13-14, tells us to enter through the narrow gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction. It goes on to say, that there are many who go in by the wide gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Jeremiah 17:9, tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; only God knows it. Geesh, we can’t even trust our own heart. Along with those internal battles, we find out that the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Read that again, the enemy is on the prowl and he is roaring. The enemy is posturing, intimidating you with his voice (roaring), and showing his power with his walk (prowling). His behavior makes it clear who is the predator and who is the prey. The great thing about God’s Word is it also gives us the solution. The same book (Proverbs) that tells us about the way that seems right also tells us to trust in the Lord with ALL our heart and lean NOT on our understanding. It continues with, in ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He WILL direct your path. Although, the heart is deceitful Proverbs 4, tells us to guard our heart, for everything you do flows from it. Lastly, the Bible even tells us how to deal with that roaring lion. Ephesians 6, tells us to put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. So, even though, we are sinners, without direction, with a deceitful heart, and under constant attack from the enemy; we have a Shepherd that directs us, guides us, leads us and literally gave His life so we would never be lost.

Prayer: Dear Lord please forgive us for wandering off. Please forgive us for taking the wide gate. Forgive us for knowingly sinning and for the sins, we do and don’t even realize it. Lord, thank you for guiding us, leading us, and directing us. Thank you for looking for us when we wander off. Thank you for calling us back when we begin to walk too far. Thank you for Your Word that You have given to us to be a light to our path. Despite all that You have given us, sometimes we still fall short. And, as much as we dislike it, thank you for taking us behind the shed when necessary because Your discipline keeps us on the right road, the narrow road. Lord, you told us that You are our shepherd, and, that we are your sheep. And, that Your sheep know Your voice. And, that You know Your sheep. For that, we are so thankful. Thank you, Lord for Jesus, Christ, who died on the cross for our sins; without Him we would be lost. In the matchless name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

(by Patricia Towns)