Text: Romans 12:2

Further Reading: Daniel 3:1-30

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:2 NKJV

MESSAGE

The believer does not have to be in vogue to please the world’s culture. We are called to a life of separation from the world, not segregation. This means that we can not in any way conform to the norms of this present sinful world but as light, we should bring a ray of hope amidst the decay.

Our text of the day is actually a key to which believers must enter any door both in their spiritual and secular life. God expects us to be non-conforming to the standard practice of the world, but to go through a transformation by the renewing of our minds.

This does not mean that Christians should disobey authority and higher powers, No! The Bible actually encourages us to do that.

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:1‭-‬2 NKJV

However, we must never forget that the highest authority is God and we have a strong allegiance to Him. Christians are to live like Daniel, Shadrach Meshaac, and Abednego who lived in a foreign land and determined not to live by the idolatry and sinful culture of the land (Daniel 1:8).

As we read later in our Bible reading of the day, the three young men were not afraid to say no to the king when they were asked to bow to an idolatry statue. They were ready to face the wrath of the law, but God whom they honor was ready to glorify Himself.

We must not obey the government to disobey God. The line is very clear.  Other so-called Christians may be doing it, but true followers of Christ must stand their ground. Although such separation may come at the cost of persecution, we must trust God for the grace to scale through without compromise.

Christians living in free countries and regions should take time to pray for our brethren in the heart of persecution for the grace not to give up but to keep holding on to the name of Jesus even in the face of death.

REFLECTION

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:17 NKJV

Doing God’s will is the ultimate as nothing we see in the world is forever. Rather than conform to worldly standards, learn to create and promote Godly standards in a godless generation.

PRAYER

Father, please help me to live above the standards of this present world and to cling to the Godly standards