Different Way of Thinking

Scripture
"Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever." —1 John 2:15-17, NLT

Reflection from Rebecca:
It's so easy for us to buy into the current thinking of the day—whatever that is. Whether it concerns same-sex marriage, our politicians' view ..ion, the popular notion of a man and woman living together before marriage, or tolerating all world religions as equal in God's sight, Christians are often seen as intolerant if they don't swim with the current. God is concerned that we retain His views on these topics as He revealed them to us in His Word. He wants us to be pure in our thinking. When one speaks of a certain breed of animal as being purebred, it means that the animal came from one strain of pure blood with absolutely no mixed ancestry. Even though we must live in this world, God doesn't want us to allow the various strains of impurity to infect our hearts and minds. It's a high calling, but God intends for us to think radically different than the rest of the world.

People admire us when we stand for purity of life. They can see that we don't have to escape the world's pressures and find love and acceptance through doing drugs and alcohol, and engaging in promiscuous sex. When others see God's true love, joy, and peace lived out in practical ways, they will want what we have. The thing that speaks the loudest to non-Christians is when we live out our faith. When they see us not only talking about God but living it 24/7 the best that we can, that's when people really can see the Jesus difference in us. That's our loudest witness. This should be our daily prayer, "God, show me how to live a life that's more pleasing to you."

Looking Further
The word "holy" is something we don't hear much of in our culture today, unless it's used in a context in which someone is making fun of one who is a "holy roller" or has a "holier than thou" attitude. The root word means to be "set apart" or "consecrated" for a specific purpose. Here are some verses that should challenge our thinking: • "We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness" (Titus 2:12-14, The Message). • "You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that 'he's a fiercely jealous lover.' And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find" (James 4:4, 5, The Message). • "Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God—who chose you to be his children—is holy" (1 Peter 1:14, 15, NLT).

Living It Out
What things prevent you from thinking and living differently from what you see all around you? In what specific ways would you like to be different than those around you? Make a list of those things, then talk to God about your desires, and ask Him to empower you to walk a "set apart" life today.

 

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