Don’t let that happen to you! Instead, follow the instructions in the New Testament:
“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).
“…[put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; and be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], and put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24, "AMP").
You’re Not Like Everyone Else
If living like that makes you seem peculiar from the world’s point of view that’s just fine. In fact, it’s exactly as it should be. As a Christian you’re not like everyone else in the world. You’re part of “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
During the television broadcast I referred to earlier, Billye Brim explained that people who were part of the priesthood in the Old Testament actually were peculiar, in that they didn’t do everything other people did. For instance, the High Priest couldn’t go to anyone’s funeral even if the person who died was a member of his immediate family.
Under the Old Covenant, physical death represented sin and the spiritual death that results from it. The High Priest had to stay away from it so he could go into the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the people. In other words, the High Priest had to live a separated life so God’s power could manifest through him on behalf of the nation.
That’s what God wants us as believers to do, too. He wants us to separate ourselves from sin unto Him so that He can manifest Himself through us on behalf of the world around us—the world that He loves dearly, the world Jesus shed His blood to save.
God wants that world! He wants everyone in it. That’s why He says in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” He doesn’t want anyone to be left out. He wants the Word of His salvation to be preached to all people—the good, the bad and the ugly—because Jesus gave His life for them all. He paid the ultimate price so that every one of us could be born again and restored to the Father’s family.
Just think, Jesus didn’t shrink back from anything God asked Him to do for mankind. When God asked Him to go to the Cross and bear the sin of all humanity so that whoever believed on Him could be “made holy” (Hebrews 10:10, "NLT"), He did it. He said, “You have given me a body to offer.... ‘I have come to do your will, O God—as it is written about me in the Scriptures’" (verses 5, 7, "NLT").
As His disciples, we’re to have that same beautiful attitude of obedience toward our Father. We’re to say just like Jesus did, “Lord, here I am. I want to do what’s written in Your Book. I want to obey what the Bible says and do things Your way and not the world’s way. I want to be holy just as You are holy.”
That attitude doesn’t put us in bondage. It makes us truly free. V
**************************************************************
****ADVERTISEMENT*****
“God is not looking for the government to change...He is looking for the Church to pray.”
—Kenneth Copeland
Spirit-Led Prayer Conference
September 17-19
Fort Worth, Texas
Terri Copeland Pearsons
&
Patsy Cameneti
Services & Workshops
Preregistration is required for workshops at spiritledprayer.com.
Seating is limited.
********************************
BVOV : 31
