Set Apart
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
I am taking a detour from my typical Precept study and joined a group of ladies for a Bible Study/Fitness class offered at my church. We are working through Kelly Minter’s Nehemiah.
In the video portion this past week, Kelly said something that resonated with me so deep that I began a self reflection to see where I am falling short – and boy do I fall short!
What Kelly said should be a reminder to all of us to examine our lives and hearts and see where we fall short concerning today’s culture. Basically, she said that as children of God, we are set apart, called to be holy and righteous yet one thing we can tend to not be any different than the world on is culture. Now here is what she said that really spoke to me…..we can “think” something in culture is funny but if it is a “sin” and Jesus died on the cross for that “sin,” rest assured He doesn’t find it funny.
Talk about conviction! Where have I laughed a sinful behavior in culture whether on a TV show or in a movie or through the lyrics of a song or crude jokes at a get together? I didn’t find anything about the recent VMA fiasco funny but I can say I have laughed many times at episodes of “Friends.”
Granted, these are fiction and not really someone specific’s sin, but more likely than not, someone has committed these sins – in which case it is not funny. Our sins are what put Jesus on the cross to die a painful death. The idea today in culture is sin in funny and entertaining.
I honestly had not realized how easy the culture had infiltrated my life. I personally had to do assessment to see where I needed to guard my heart and my life from culture.
As a people who are set apart, we must be proactive in guarding our lives to what fills our eyes and our minds. I’m not saying I’ll never watch another episode of Friends and I don’t want to become legalistic but what I am trying to say is that I personally needed to reevaluate where I allowed myself to be exposed to culture and how that effects my relationship with Jesus.
Being a light in a dark world isn’t always easy. Yet through God’s word we are told we can do be that light, we can be transformed, we can live in the world and not be a part of it.
Romans 12:2 says,
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.
And, John 17:15-18 says,
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
There is a certain expectations as a child of God, we need to not conform ourselves to this world but live a life that is truly set apart covered in the holy righteousness of Jesus. He paid the ultimate price for our sins so that we can be blameless before God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us that:
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Guard your hearts and your minds from culture. Think carefully through what you expose your self too. Cloth yourself in the Armor of God everyday through prayer and the consistent and faithful study of the Word and you’ll be able to live a life that is truly set apart.
In Christ Alone,
Dana
You are right, Dana; we need to guard our minds and hearts and live as truly set apart. Often we have to walk a fine line between what is right in God’s eyes and what tends to be too legalistic. His Word will lead us to walk that fine line.