Stand Out, Not Blend In

Romans 12:1-2;9-21 ~ “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect……..Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Life is hard, this world can be hostile, likewise both are are very chaotic….. But….. Even in a world like this we are to stand out and not blend in for the sake of Christ. We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are called and commanded to live as Christ would. act as Christ would. talk as Christ would. We are to as Paul did; count everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. We are called to be against the flow of the world amongst unbelievers. We are called to stand out and not blend in. As we strive everyday to stand out and not blend in, our aim is to glorify God in and throughout our lives, we push on forward to the upward call of Jesus Christ in our lives. We await to see the glory and majesty of God robed in all beauty and splendor one day when Jesus takes us home to spend eternity with him in heaven or the Day Christ returns! We are called to stand out and not blend in! To be a people set apart! To not a surface level relationship with Christ and a faith and hope that rests upon a firm foundation!! Amen! Soli Deo Gloria!!