Do You Fit In?

"I was so embarrassed and ashamed when you prayed out loud at the restaurant, everybody was watching." said my guest.  

My response was simply, "I was so embarrassed and ashamed that you would receive what God has given and not even take a moment to give thanks." 

These contrary viewpoints demonstrate whether we are more concerned about "fitting in" to what people may think or more aware of doing all to please God.  When we accept who Jesus is and what He has done (John 1:12) we became children of God.  We become new creatures who are born of God and now share divine nature; the old fleshly person of the earth is crucified with Christ and has passed away. 

In a discussion with the Jews, Jesus pointed out that He was from above and not of this world.  Jesus said they were from below and of this world.  (John 8:23) Notice the complete difference.  As children of God, we have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness into His glorious light of Jesus Himself.  Ephesians 2:6 declares we have been raised with Jesus Christ and are seated with Him at the right hand of the Father.  Verse 19 further points out that we are now fellow citizens with the saints and the household of God.  In short, we are not of this world anymore, but just His ambassadors that happen to still live in it.  

Obviously, the Holy Spirit did this in us and for us when we were born again.  However, Paul reminds us in Romans 12:1-2 that it is up to us to choose to live in this Spirit-given heavenly position rather than continue in our fleshly body and mind like the world. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  Choosing to receive and obey God's Word changes our thinking and our ability to please God.

In the Gospels, Jesus calls us the light of the world and the salt of the earth.  However, He points out that if salt loses its flavor, it is worthless and only good for being trampled on the ground.   Jesus, according to Hebrews 13:12, suffered "outside" the gate.  Then verse 13 follows, "Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach."  Because of His willingness to bear our sin and shame, we cheerfully respond by not being ashamed to represent Him in a darkened and sinful world.  

Finally, 1 Peter 2:9 calls us "a peculiar people."  Part of the privilege of being a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" is that we are willing to be different from the world.  The purpose given is that we may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Paul in Ephesians 1:12 re-enforces this truth stating that we should live "for the praise of His glory."

Today the tendency or temptation is to be acceptable to society and worldly standards rather than being a light in the darkness.  Even many Spirit-filled churches talk only about Jesus' love but tone down the message of Jesus about eternal judgment, repentance, immorality, hell, casting out demons, or praying in tongues in order to be "user friendly" to the world rather than being true to God and His word. Yet many of these doctrines, according to Hebrews 6 are foundational to Christian maturity and obedience to God. Jesus warned "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."  The critical truth is that our choice has eternal consequences. 

So fit in or please God.  You choose.  

 

Life from Death

 The greatest event in the history of mankind is the resurrected life of Jesus given to man from the death of Jesus.  The question is do we believe this and do we understand that this amazing power is still active today.  

The perfect plan and awesome power of God is manifested in His transforming death in the flesh to give His eternal life to us.  In Luke 9:23-24, Jesus proclaimed this principle, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily (to die on), and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake with save it."  We are called on to believe in His death and resurrection, not just as a Jesus spectator, but as one who follows Jesus through believing faith that this principle also works in us.  God does not change and His Word is everlasting.

 "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain," according to Jesus. (John 12:24)   Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4:9-11, likewise states that we are "always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh."  Most of us desire with all our hearts (at least I do!) that Jesus' life and power would be openly shown in and through me, but how do we allow this to happen?  Jackie Pullinger, missionary to drug addicts, prostitutes, and gang members in the walled city of Hong Kong, captures the answer with this phrase: "The Gospel always gives life to the receiver and death to the giver."  There is a cost.

  Jesus says to count the cost. Paul adds depth to this statement by sharing the horrendous cost that he paid through beatings, shipwreck, persecutions, and even death, as "light sufferings" not worthy to be compared to the "eternal weight of glory that is to be revealed in us."  However, more important and more compelling than the reward is the truth that Jesus, the Lamb of God, who gave His life for us is worthy of all we have to give.  If He willingly paid the ultimate price for all our sins, doesn't He deserve our willingness to give what and who we are?  God loves a cheerful giver.

 We must look in the mirror of God's Word to compare our life here on earth to eternity. "For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)  How does a drop of water compare to a vast Pacific Ocean of water?  In short, no amount of time compares to being alive forever and ever.  Live your life from an eternal perspective.  

Therefore, in the words of Jim Elliot, missionary speared to death trying to give the Gospel to the Auca Indians in Ecuador, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."  Let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us "to will and to work for His good pleasure," by believing and applying this truth, life from death, by laying down our lives and making whatever sacrifice is necessary to share the message of Jesus. Worthy is the Lamb to receive the reward for which He died. Jesus is worthy of it all.