Redemption.
“As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” John 15:9
We do not belong to the world?!
We play football, watch TV, laugh at Ant & Dec, go see Take That just like everyone else… hang on; no I don’t, but you get my point. On the surface of things so much of our lives look like the lives of those around us. But they aren’t.
We live in the world but we are not of the world.
The entire focus of our lives is to become more like Christ (or in other words to allow the Spirit of God to transform us from the inside out) – if this isn’t our focus then we need to question the validity, existence and point of our faith!
What makes us different?
A million rapid and unchartered thoughts.
We are watching a movie. The guy next to us is watching the screen keeping up with the plot, just like us, thinking ‘that actress if buff!’ We, while perhaps sharing such notions, find ourselves thinking something far more revolutionary as well – does what I’m watching marry up with what Christ teaches me is upright and good? Does this benefit me or harm me?
We are in the supermarket and person in front of us grabs the bag of coffee they had last time; they enjoyed the flavour and the packaging caught their eye, what is more it is reasonably cheap. We stand on the same spot and look at the coffees. Without thinking we scout out the Fair-Trade brands, because we do not want to rob the workers of their wages, and find the flavour we adore. We fantasise about enjoying this coffee later listening to some good music.
The world says tantalise your eyes, we say purify our minds.
The world says look after number one, we say we are here to bless others with right living.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom 12:2
We do not belong to the world?!We play football, watch TV, laugh at Ant & Dec, go see Take That just like everyone else… hang on; no I don’t, but you get my point. On the surface of things so much of our lives look like the lives of those around us. But they aren’t.
We live in the world but we are not of the world.
The entire focus of our lives is to become more like Christ (or in other words to allow the Spirit of God to transform us from the inside out) – if this isn’t our focus then we need to question the validity, existence and point of our faith!
What makes us different?
A million rapid and unchartered thoughts.
We are watching a movie. The guy next to us is watching the screen keeping up with the plot, just like us, thinking ‘that actress if buff!’ We, while perhaps sharing such notions, find ourselves thinking something far more revolutionary as well – does what I’m watching marry up with what Christ teaches me is upright and good? Does this benefit me or harm me?
We are in the supermarket and person in front of us grabs the bag of coffee they had last time; they enjoyed the flavour and the packaging caught their eye, what is more it is reasonably cheap. We stand on the same spot and look at the coffees. Without thinking we scout out the Fair-Trade brands, because we do not want to rob the workers of their wages, and find the flavour we adore. We fantasise about enjoying this coffee later listening to some good music.The world says tantalise your eyes, we say purify our minds.
The world says look after number one, we say we are here to bless others with right living.
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom 12:2
posted by Andrew at 9:07 am
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