A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (April 4, 2016)
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10)
We presently live in a very judgmental world that tries to define who we are with very broad brush strokes. For example, if you are a Republican, you must be a war monger. If you are a Democrat, you must be a pacifist. If you are white, you must be a racist. If you are black, you must be on some sort of welfare. If you are Hispanic, you are probably an illegal alien.
NEWSFLASH!! All Republicans are not war mongers, all Democrats are not pacifists, all white people are not racists, all black people are not on some sort of welfare, and all Hispanics are not illegal aliens!
This judgmental and divisive spirit has gotten so bad that some college students have coined the term micro-aggression to define what they term as hurtful speech. One example of a micro-aggression reported by national television news goes like this. If you ask me where I am from, this somehow infers a bias or prejudice on your part and is considered hurtful speech. Are you kidding me? Micro-aggression is just another fancy politically correct term used to judge people.
We live in a world today where it is crucial to know who you are. The Word of God is the only true source from which you can learn who you really are. If you are not careful the world will define who you are, rather than the Word of God, and you will be like a lost puppy in the midst of a pack of mad dogs. Listen to what the Word says about you and about not conforming to the world in Romans 12:2:
And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (KJV Bible)
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (NLT Bible)
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. (Amplified Bible)
With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity. (Phillips Translation Bible)
Knowing who you are in Christ will protect you from all the fiery darts and lies that the enemy will constantly throw at you to get you to believe that you are something you’re not. My political party does not define who I am! My race does not define who I am! I am defined by the Word of God and my Savior Jesus Christ! If you are using any other measuring stick to define me you are going to be way off base.
What defines you???
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:13-16)
