Do not Conform!

With the court's recently decision on gay marriage, Christians now more that ever are feeling the pressure to conform to the world's way of living.  As a Christian I'm feeling a bit confused about where and how to move forward from here?  First thing we have to remember is not to panic. No matter what's going on in the world, God is still in control. When all is said and done, it's God's will be done.  

Even though we are God's handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, as it says in Ephesians 2:10, we are very much free agents.  We have freewill to live as we wish and should not be prosecuted for our life choices.  And that's still the message from God for us today, we should look not to be prosecutors of sinners.  The goal isn't to make people feel bad about the decisions they are making, but to encourage them to want to live right for God and include Him in their decision making process. 

Here is a great opportunity as Christians to ensure that God is being rightly represented in a sinful world.   What still should be our main focus is to lift God up, so He can draw all men unto Him, like stated in John 12:32.  Now is the time to make sure that we are spiritually walking closely with Jesus. We need to ensure that we are living by the word of God and that we are studying the bible to show ourselves approved by God as stated in 2 Timothy 2:15.  We need to be sure that we are consistently praying and engaging in daily devotionals.  Even now we must not abandon creating and engaging in opportunities to fellowship. It is very important that we position ourselves to show the world that God is worthy of our sacrifice, praise and in His will is the best way to live our lives.  We need to remember that like in, Matthew 5:16 letting our light shine before others, so they see us living for God's approval, will give God the glory. 

We must be imitators of God and walk in love.  Just as Jesus loves us, gave himself up for us, we must give up ourselves spiritually to be the example of righteous living for the world, as stated in Ephesians 5:1-33.  While we need to exercise tolerance to respect people's right to freewill, we must not become accepting that sin is now right in the eyes of God.  God still needs us to share the word with & minister to an unsaved and dying world, but we need to first be right with God ourselves before we can be used by Him to show the way to the lost.

The key to not conforming to the world's views:

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word dwell in you richly, to teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

(Be honest with yourself, be sure your living and speaking is truly purposed for sharing a loving God with the unsaved and you're planting a seed that will hopefully save the life.)

1 Timothy 2:1-4  I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for those in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  

1 Peter 3:17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 

(Look for opportunities to do good, to be a servant and show those who don't know, who God is.)