Hey everyone, I have been studying 1 Corinthians chapter one in my personal Bible study and it has not only opened my eyes to things I need to work on in my life, but also a very dangerous line we are beginning to cross: the line of compromise.
I’m sure you are all confused by the title and ready to correct me, but the title was backwards INTENTIONALLY. In the Bible, we are warned of wolves’ disguised as sheep in the midst of the flock, seeking to devour the flock. This picture clearly represents unbelievers coming into the church with the intent to destroy the body of Christ and portraying themselves as strong Christians in order to do so. Hence the popular phrase: A wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Beware also, my dear friends, of the exact opposite.
Our secular culture has slowly seeped into the Church, causing us to take sides on certain topics that are not exactly black and white in the Bible. However, we are called to live holy (set apart), which means we are to not partake of certain things that are wholly accepted in normal social circles. A picture of a sheep glancing over at the wolves’ den across the field comes to mind for me. The sheep sees how much fun the wolves are having in their den, seeking their own pleasures, and wants to be part of it so bad that he is willing to leave the safety of his shepherd to pursue it. The sheep, however, has a problem: the wolves will devour him the moment they see him walking over. He comes to the conclusion that if he wants to be like them, he has to look like them and act like them so they will never know the difference. The sheep has this idea of putting on wolves’ clothing to hide the true nature of who he is so he can go out and have fun without anyone knowing where he actually came from. Unlike a wolf, he is not seeking to destroy, but just to blend in. He strays away from the loving guidance of his shepherd, all because he finds life as a sheep not interesting and ‘fun’ enough at times. Although he doesn’t think the wolves will ever devour him since they will never know his true identity, the pleasures he seeks eventually will.
I have seen believers ‘riding the fence’ because they have never taken the seriousness of this to heart. We want to be like everyone else, accepted by those around us, sadly, to the point we make compromises that eventually become lifestyle changes we suddenly lose control of. In honesty, Jesus was an outcast. As believers, we have been called to be outcasts, separated to be the salt and light of the earth. To bring those lost in the darkness to Christ by shining His Light to guide the way.
One of my favorite quotes is surprisingly from Dr. Seuss but he has a very good point.
“Why fit in, when you were born to stand out?”
Dear sheep, we were chosen by God to be used for His glory to proclaim His great name! Our life is supposed to reflect Christ so much, they can tell you’re different just by looking at you. This picture of the sheep putting on wolves’ clothing just to be a part of something he should never desire to be a part of, is something I’m beginning to see everywhere I turn. Please, I encourage you to take a serious look at your life. Are you living for Christ whole-heartedly, or are there questionable things in your life that can block your light from shining brighter?
I won’t give you a big list of the things in our lives that could be highly hazardous to our spiritual growth and wellness as well as our personal testimonies, but I will give you a few verses to get you thinking.
First, 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
1 Peter 1:13-15 “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.”
Reflect Christ so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Wear your sheep’s clothing proudly!
On a different note, I apologize for the spacious in-between times of blog posts, I promise to do better and have at least one to two posts every month. Please don’t lose interest! Our demo CD is still in the works with our music producer, he is on song number two right now. : )
Be bold and shine.
-Becca.
Crimson Letters 