Subject: Christian Living
A ‘PECULIAR’ PEOPLE
There probably isn’t one of us that
haven’t been drawn to a fad or silly craze! Remember the lava lamp, pet rock and
the Rubic Cube? One of the more recent crazes has had Silly Bands stretching
across the land. As with most fads and crazes, however, we become briefly
infatuated; then quickly lose interest.
Unfortunately, the world offers up much
more than fads; it presents ungodliness in many forms! Decadence, filth,
corruption and wickedness, each cleverly camouflaged to peak and maintain our
interest and satisfy our sinful nature, easily draw us into worldly ways. Thus
many of us attempt to walk with one foot in the world, one foot in Christianity.
This is a dangerous balancing act! One
that is completely disobedient to Almighty God! “And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove
what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Clearly, Christians are instructed to avoid conforming to a corrupt world and to
deny its attractive and hypnotic ways! We are not to pattern our lives – any
part of it – in any manner that resembles and/or emulates a godless society! In
other words, we are to refrain from looking like the world and completely
abstain from mimicking it!
As Christians, rather than conforming,
we are to be transformed, but transformed into what? The answer, according to
divine Scripture, is a ‘peculiar people’; people who do not conform to the world
or its practices. (I Peter 2:9-10; Titus 2:14) Does this mean we are to be
strange, weird or eccentric? No! It means Christians are a people belonging to
God in a very special manner, especially preserved by God. A people purchased by
the shed blood of Jesus Christ! (Ephesians 1:7; John 3:16) A people whose
transformation (change) stands out, making us strong witnesses to the lost!
As a ‘peculiar people’, we must be
acutely mindful of the need for nonconformity, fully aware of the ungodly things
this ugly world has to offer. Being cognizant of the world’s depravity, we must
avoid suspicious computer websites, filter reading material, choose appropriate
entertainment, monitor television programs, and select and listen to proper
God-honoring music. (The modern day electronic marvels such as television,
computers, etc. are not an enemy BUT their ungodly use is.)
As a ‘peculiar people’, we are to stand
apart, making no concessions with the world! Copying the world’s provocative
dress, listening to its ungodly music, partaking of its godless entertainment,
speaking with a blasphemous tongue and converting our churches into
entertainment centers make us no different from the world!
If ‘imitation is the sincerest form of
flattery’, isn’t imitating the world presenting the unbeliever with the
impression that Christians are somewhat in harmony, maybe even slightly
enamored, with this vile world! Not even a hint of such a notion should ever be
put forth! “And we (believers) know that we are of God, and the whole
world (secular teachings, ideas, and temptations) lieth in wickedness” (I
John 5:19; I John 2:16) As a ‘peculiar people’, we must resist all
temptation to mingle worldly practices with godly behavior! (II Corinthians
6:14) Attempting to imic the world is being rebellious toward God and our
conduct displeasing to our Lord and Savior!
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world…” (I John 2:15a)
We, God’s ‘peculiar people,” must
sidestep today’s watered down Christianity and dodge the invading feel good,
self-serving, entertainment based mentality that flirts openly with an
unscriptural blending of light and dark. “Beware
lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition
of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians
2:8)
We must persistently resist and remain
aloof from the secularism that is creeping into every aspect of Christian
living! Imitating the world is contrary to God’s infallible Word and
overwhelmingly detrimental to our Christian walk and testimony! Because Satan
dominates the world (II Corinthians 4:4), we should avoid its influences, it
methods, and its depravity!
As God’s ‘peculiar people’, we must
denounce the world in order to help it! “And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness (world’s evil works and ways),
but rather reprove (reprimand/warn against) them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
Now, after many decades of being
staunchly secure in God’s mercy and grace through the shed blood of Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 1:7), I excitedly await the Rapture! So can you! Just trust in Jesus!
“…but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall
be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25b)
