Don't Be Conformed - Be Transformed

Today's blog post is a little different. I've actually recorded a video and attached it below. It's raw and unedited, but it is what the LORD put on my heart to share with whoever is willing to listen. We live in a culture today that glorifies self. We base our decisions on how we feel and what society tells us is okay. There are even those in the church that have bought into the lies of this age. It saddens me to see that so many professing believers are trying to make Jesus and the gospel fit with what society says is acceptable. Jesus came to transform us into His image, not the other way around.

When we give our lives to Christ and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us, He begins transforming us into the very image of God. There are so many scriptures that refer to the change we undergo as believers. They refer to dying to self, the renewal of our mind, being given a heart of flesh, and not being conformed to this world. Please, do not let the fear of man keep you from living the life God has called you to. I have personally spent most of my life tiptoeing around the truth because I was afraid of offending someone. In the meantime, I was hurting my Father's heart by not speaking the truth in love. The closer I get to Him, the more the Holy Spirit is working in my heart. He has awakened something in me that must speak the truth. I do so out of love for you and for Him. My prayer is that you would surrender yourself to Him and allow His Spirit to do a work in you. Seek the truth, pray for wisdom and discernment, and allow the LORD to fill you with Himself. Allow Him to reveal any areas of sin in your life that need to be repented of and then repent. He loves you so much and He will not leave you in your sin. He offers salvation and the complete renewal of your mind as you draw closer to Him.

One final thought and a few scriptures to meditate upon. I am not coming to you with a spirit of judgement, but with love and an urgent warning. Don't let fear of man keep you from living the truth. Be the light God has called you to be.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself. For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed." Luke 9:23-26

"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." Romans 12:1-2

"Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast of the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." Romans 13:11-14

"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." Romans 16:17-18

Father God,

Be with my dear friend reading this. May they seek after you with all their hearts. May the Holy Spirit give them wisdom, discernment, and understanding as they read your Word and draw closer to you. Safeguard them from the lies of the enemy. Empower them to speak the truth in love, standing firm on the rock of truth, which is Jesus Christ. Thank you for the opportunity to share your truth and love with others.

In the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen

Until next time, be blessed!

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.