Not of this World?

Let’s face it, the term, “Not of this World” sounds a little bit weird. But, that term is what the Apostle Paul urges us to live up to.  In 2 Peter he urges us to live as aliens and strangers in this world. Is he admonishing Christians to be weird, hyper-spiritual, not in touch with reality? No. But, He is always turning our hearts and minds back to what is true about us. We are different.

We are set apart because of Jesus. We are to live differently, think differently, respond differently than someone who does not have Jesus. Why is it then that we often live more like we are of this world, fitting in so nicely with the culture, hardly standing out in a crowd, and choosing our words carefully so that we do not offend anyone with our beliefs in Jesus?

I personally think there are two reasons, maybe more, but these are my two for today….

• The pattern of this culture and a worldly, self-dependent, self-focused, way of life has been deeply ingrained, it’s our groove.
• We are not mindful of WHO we are and WHOSE we are on a daily, moment by moment basis. This forgetfulness, helps us forget to live in our New Identity and in the New Reality of Christ in Us.

Today’s Truth: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:2 NIrV

“Anyone who believes in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone! The new has come! It is all from God. He brought us back to himself through Christ’s death on the cross. And he has given us the task of bringing others back to him through Christ. God has trusted us with the message that people may be brought back to him. So we are Christ’s official messengers. It is as if God were making his appeal through us.”

“Don’t live any longer the way the world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed.”

Here’s the Facts.

• Are you a Christian? Then you are a New Creation! Period.
• You are now His messenger in this world.
• He will be making His Appeal through you. Count on it.
• Your way of thinking needs to change to line up with your new identity as His.
• This new thinking will help you learn to live in the world, but not of it!

Today’s Prayer.

Father, I see it in your Word, I long to walk it out in my life. Change my mind, change my life, use me as your messenger and make me aware each and every time you are leading me to speak, and each and every time you are nudging me to be silent. I want to walk, breathe and live in your groove.