Do Not Be Conformed (Rom. 12:2)

Read Romans 12:2.

"Do not be conformed to this world . . . ."  Don't live so as to not stand out.

An example of this is John the Baptist.

• He did not conform to the world's dress code.  Instead, he chose a hairy, simple garment and a leather belt.  
• He did not choose the world's appetite.  Instead, it was locusts and wild honey for him.  His palate was simple.  He had no use for fancy foods he couldn't pronounce.  
• He did not conform to the world's message.  John's message was, "Repent!"  The world's message was either "Relax!" or "Don't challenge the system!"

1.  Who or what "clothes" you?  What "garments" do you wear? (Isa. 61:3,10)
2.  What's your "appetite"?  What do you crave?  Is it righteousness or worldliness?
3.  What's your message?  How often do you mention Jesus?

Change The Filter, Change The Picture (Rom. 12:2)

Roaring Run Trail, Apollo, PA  11:00 A.M.

When I snapped this photo, I had seen something on the river.  When I got back at lunch time, I transferred the image to my computer.  Somehow the photo wasn't as eye-catching, so I started adjusting filters.  Black and white was it!  It brought out the golfer.  (Do you see him?)

What "filters" have you put on your thinking?  Change the filter and you might see something new.

By the way, is that a left-handed golfer lining up a shot across the river or is that a right-handed golfer lining up a shot away from the river?  Again, it all depends on your "filter."  Preference shades perspective.

"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking." (Rom. 12:2, The Message)

Dealing with Conflict (Rom. 12:8-19)

One of your leaders says something to you about an idea he doesn't support.  It's not that you demand uniformity, but his comment sounds like a backdoor threat.  If he doesn't get his way, he won't be a part of it.  If he doesn't get his way, he might leave. You didn't see THAT coming!  You scratch your head and wonder, "What?"  What did you do to deserve such a response?  Welcome to conflict!  It happens frequently to Christian leaders.  If you don't accidentally find conflict, conflict will intentionally find you.  I promise.

Here is some wisdom from Romans 1:8-19.  The context isn't necessarily conflict, but the principles are helpful.

• Lead diligently (12:8).  Don't interpret an attack on one thing as a referendum on your leadership as a whole.
• Love sincerely (12:9-10).  Treat people as people, not as adversaries or inconveniences or production units. 
• Live fervently (12:11-12).  Maintain spiritual zeal.  Build a strong soul.  Cultivate joy, patience and faithfulness.  Watch your heart.
• Engage personally (12:13-16).  Don't shut down, shut out or shut away.  Stay engaged with people.  Take the high ground.
• Forgive continually (12:17-19).  Forget getting even or proving that you're right.  Remember you chose to forgive.  The six hardest words might be "I don't have to be right."

Just because I am right in my idea doesn't mean I am right in my approach.  Just because I am right in my idea doesn't mean I am right in my heart.  Just because I am right in my idea doesn't mean I am right in my relationships.

I Didn't But I Wanted To

Before I spotted the note, I had no inclination to lift the lid and touch the cake.  I knew there was a cake underneath the lid, but that's where it stopped -- at knowledge.  I had no temptation.  The cake wasn't for me, and that was okay.  Once I saw the note, however, I can't describe how badly I wanted to taste the frosting.  The note was to warn me, but it also provoked me.

"Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law..." (Rom. 7:7)

The Christian's Obedience (Rom. 6:15-18)

Obedience is a choice (Rom. 6:16).  You set yourself up (present your members or faculties) to sin or to obey.  A Christian sins because he chooses to, not because he has to.  The sin nature is no longer his default setting.  He died to sin, though sin didn't die to him.

Obedience is contrasted against sin (Rom. 6:16).  To sin, therefore, is to disobey (to feed rebellion).  All disobedience to God is sin.

Obedience, once you're regenerated, is the catalyst for character (Rom. 6:16).  There is more to obedience than pleasing God in your behavior (doing).  Through obedience comes development in Christian character (being).

Obedience is the gateway to freedom (Rom. 6:17).  Change begins with obedience.  New life in Jesus begins with obedience.  Obey the gospel.  Surrender to its demands.  Then your servitude will no longer be to sin but to righteousness (Rom. 6:18).

Obedience is a heart issue (Rom. 6:17).  The heart is the place of choice, desire, want, trust and surrender.  It is the place of formation.  God wants your heart (1 Sam. 16:7).  He wants not only external compliance but internal willingness.  Read 2 Chron. 16:9.

The Effectiveness of Faith (Rom. 4:18-22)

Faith was not designed to be a possession, something you merely have.  It was designed to be a producer, something that effects.  What is needed if faith is to be effective?

Hearing, "owning" and believing God's promises (Rom. 4:18).

Ignoring human limitations that mock the promise (Rom. 4:19). 

Continuing to believe when delay makes it tempting not to (Rom. 4:20).  Such continuance glorifies God.  His promises are sure and guaranteed, but not always immediately fulfilled.  Elapsed time is a great tempter.

Maintaining 100% confidence in God's ability and capability (Rom. 4:21).  A promise without the capacity to fulfill it is a tease.  How grand is God in your estimation?  Are you frustrated with Him?  Have you entertained, even briefly, the suggestion "God can't"?  Just because God hasn't doesn't mean He can't or won't.

The Impact of One (Rom. 5:12-21)

Everyone has an impact.  Adam had an impact, Moses had an impact, Jesus had an impact, and you will have one too.

Impact is determined by choices.  Adam chose to rebel and eat the fruit.  Jesus chose to lay down His life.  You will make choices too.

Your impact outlives you.  Without promoting generational curses, let me just say that your choices will affect those around you.

The consequence, positive or negative, is greater than the choice.  Adam chose to eat the fruit.  Result?  Death.  Jesus chose to lay down His life.  Result?  Eternal life for those who believe in Him.

Make wise choices with God's help.  Do you think Adam would like to have a mulligan in that fruit situation?

God's choice is greater than man's choice.  There is still a consequence for choosing poorly, but the consequence is not the end.  Because of God's choice to love and Jesus' choice to die, you can live.  You can be forgiven!

The time will come when you have no choice (Phil. 2:9-11).  You will bow.  You will confess.  Gladly choose Jesus now.  When you die, it's too late.