Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
There is a danger for the saved person to conform to the world. There is much in the world that is a real temptation for that person who is saved to go the way of the world. The saved person is to be ever conforming to the image of Jesus Christ. Conforming to this world will damage and ultimately destroy the testimony of that saved person.
The devil hates us!! The world is a powerful tool of the devil that he uses to tempt us to conform to the world. He will use places we should not be going. He uses ungodly friends and co-workers. He uses ungodly music. He uses things we consume or take into our body. He even uses clothing. There are many temptations.
The thing is...with all the temptation we face...the choice is ours whether we give in to that temptation or not. The one who chooses to give in to that temptation is conforming to the world.
The saved person that follows God and keeps His commandments is conforming to the image of Jesus Christ. We need to choose to follow Christ. How do we know what to choose? Well...if it is something the Bible plainly speaks of as pleasing to God...do it. If it is something the Bible plainly warns against...don't do it.
I Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." If what you're faced with the choice of does not bring glory to God...don't do it. And if you're not sure what to do...I've adopted a saying a long time ago..."when in doubt don't". Don't do it until you've prayed about it and sought God's Word for an answer. Then if God gives you peace and assurance to go ahead and do it...do it. If you would feel comfortable doing it if Jesus were right there with you...then do it. After all...you do take Him everywhere you go if you're saved. He only lives in your heart. If you would be ashamed...don't do it.
So let me ask you...who are you conforming to? This thing of conforming is a day by day...minute by minute thing. You may have been conforming to the image of Christ yesterday and not today. You may even have been conforming to His image five minutes ago and not be now. So be careful who you are conforming to.
16 comments:
Good post Mrs Julie. I love the encouragement I get from your blog. (I wasn't upset btw but thanks for explaining because with me that happens easily).
katy-anne...thank you so much for the comment. You're a blessing!!
Sis Julie,
this post is oh so very true... we can be in complete tune with God one minute... and then we become side tracked and start following our own desires or wants...
and first thing we know we are no longer in step with God...
it is a constant thing of prayer and submission...
thanks for the post!!
sis. mimi...you are exactly right. Thank you for commenting.
here i am julie!! i poked around a bit and really like what i see. i especially enjoyed the post from dec 06 about pants vs dresses. i posted something similar on my blog- it's on the right sidebar and takes you to my site. oooh i sound so important , don't i? MY site lol lol actually all praise to God that i ever have anything to say ~smile~
check me out! :) tami
sis. tami...thank you for coming by here!! I have linked to you in my blogs I like to visit. I hope others will go visit you from my site as well. I have a wonderful group of friends that come here and leave comments. And now I have you too!! I'm so excited. Enjoy your visit here as you come back. There is much to read that I don't have on my xanga site since I've had this site longer.
Dear Julie,
Thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom with me, about the pants issue. I've considered myself 'skirts-only' for a while now, but now that I've read your insight I realize that pajama pants are still pants, and pants under a skirt are still pants, too. I now became convicted that this winter I won't wear pants even for warmth, but rather will get thick pantyhose or some other solution.
anna....Praise the Lord!! I'm so glad I could help you. I did not want you to do it because I said so but because God showed you and by you saying you have been convicted about it shows me that God helped you and for that I am thankful. Praise the Lord!!
Wonderful post!! I love it how you have posts that make you want to stop and think!
Ginger
ginger...praise the Lord!! That is certainly what they make me do!! Love you!
Wonderful post, Sis Julie!! This is a constant minute by minute "everything" consideration! (as so many others have said) For instance, as far as "eating" - I am supposed to be following a certain kind of diet due to a health issue I have. Now, I have a certain amount of liberty in food selection and amounts as long as I keep track of things, but sometimes I want to push things too far and say, oh, just this once won't matter....but if that one time is not within my diet "liberty", then it is not glorifying to God, is it?
Thank you for another challenging and convicting post!
sis. pamela...I'm glad it helped you. I'm getting a lot of help from the Lord with what He has given me lately. I'm so thankful that the help doesn't stop with me. Thank you for letting me know.
I can hardly wait to completely conform to the character of Christ, in that great day when we are resurrected, and "this mortal body shall be replaced with immortality."
Between now and then though, it's a process of growth. Praise God we are already justified, even as we are in the process of being sanctified!
Have a blessed day, my friend. :~)
e-mom...I can't wait either!! What a day that will be!
Thank you sis. Julie your post always helps me. I love you
sis. marsheila...thank you for your faithfulness to visit and comment. I'm glad the posts help you.
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