Commit to Not Conform

Hi Friends,

The Lord has given me two visions that I would like to share with you.

A Document

The first vision is of a white paper with what I believe to be, randomly placed clusters of 2-3 short lines of text and signatures.  There were perhaps 15-20 clusters of these short notes, names, addresses or titles.

What came to mind first was a document like the Declaration of Independence.  At the conclusion of the declaration, there were 56 signatures representing people from all 13 colonies. The Declaration of Independence basically called for a separation from England because of a list of grievances that could no longer be tolerated. It was a declaration of separation that would of course be settled by war.  Those who put their signatures on the document, were risking all that they had including their lives.  The last statement shows their true commitment to the cause, and the source of their strength: God alone.

“And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” 

Every time I think of these brave men who fought the war to gain our freedom, and independence, I think of our commitment to God.  Can we be just as faithful and committed to God and in building his kingdom?  Can we dedicate our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to make his name great and to bring his name honor?  Can we be peace makers rather than warriors?  Helping people to make their peace with God and our Lord and Savior Jesus!  

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9

In the New Testament, either at the opening of a letter, or at the close of a letter, the writer would acknowledge those who were instrumental in helping him in his ministry, by giving their names, and special greetings and blessings to those addressed.  

The vision also reminded me of a student yearbook because it is not just a collection of pictures of fellow students, it is a collection of memories.  A yearbook is filled with the signatures and short notes from one’s peers.    Wherever there is a blank space, inside the front or back covers, the margins and between the photos our friends write notes to encourage.  There are notes of shared experiences, and wishes for dreams and goals to be fulfilled. 

We all need encouragement from time to time, so we give our blessings and well wishes to each other. Sometimes we write about events and times that bring joyful memories and even tears.  Years from now, we might flip through the pages and remember where we were, how we thought and what seemed to be important to us at the time.  A yearbook becomes a book of remembrance.  

In the book of Malachi, we also find a book of remembrance:

At that time those who feared the LORD spoke with one another, and the LORD listened and heard them. So a scroll of remembrance was written before Him regarding those who feared the LORD and honored His name. “They will be Mine,” says the LORD of Hosts, “on the day when I prepare My treasured possession. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.  So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”  Malachi 3:16-18

Everything that we have done, said or even thought is recorded, for the Lord knows all things.  Nothing is hidden from him. 

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.   Psalm 139:2-10; 13-16

Lord knows us intimately.  From his holy throne, he perceives our thoughts and knows our ways.   There is a book of remembrance that records every detail in our lives. How we think, feel, and act is important, for this life of ours is a test of our character and our devotion to God.  Will we bring the Lord joy or sorrow?  Will we bring him delight or will we grieve his Holy Spirit?  The following instructions came from the Lord and were recorded by Paul in his letter  to the Ephesians:

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:29-32

Perhaps we are unaware of how abrasive or demanding we can be.  Perhaps, we are not aware of our critical, or fault finding ways.  Perhaps we grieve God when we grieve each other.  The Lord wants us to live at peace with one another, wishing that others receive God’s best.  Do we celebrate other’s joys, successes and accomplishments? Or do we harbor hatred and disdain, jealousy or envy?  These emotions are sourced in competition and a desire for material gain.  These are not emotions that please God.

The letter to the Romans written by Paul puts his finger on the issue of sinful attitudes:  

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.  They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.  Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.  Romans 1:28-32

These character traits and heart conditions belong to the sinful nature of man.  Because the natural man, unregenerated, (not born of the Spirit), cannot or would not value or acknowledge God, he gave them up to a debased mind.  

The next passage of scripture actually preceded the one above.  It helps us to appreciate and  understand the heart of God with respect to sin.  He is the Father, our creator, who loves us and expects us to show our love, respect and devotion for him.  Paul writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.  Romans 1:18-23

Before we were born again, we were oblivious to who God really was.  We were unaware of his nature, his ways and what pleased him. We were like animals operating on instincts and passions, likes and dislikes.  We were self absorbed and self centered.  We did our own thing and went our own way. 

Ages ago, the rebellious and sinful nature of man angered God so that he regretted having made man.  He decided to destroy His creation with a flood in Noah’s day, and start over with the eight people that he saved.  

Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time.  And the LORD regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.  So the LORD said, “I will blot out man, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—every man and beast and crawling creature and bird of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them.”  Genesis 6:5-7 

Man without the Holy Spirit cannot please God.  Our (self) righteousness to God is as a worthless worn out garment, or filthy rags:

And we are as unclean -- all of us, and as a garment passing away, all our righteous acts;  and we fade as a leaf -- all of us.  And our iniquities as wind do take us away.  Isaiah 64:6

We have no righteousness of our own.  It is the Lord’s righteousness that becomes ours when we accept his perfect sacrifice for our sins.  The Lord is our righteousness!

But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.  And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.  Romans 3:21-22 

By faith in Jesus as God, Savior and sacrificial lamb, we are put in right standing with God, and made righteous in his eyes.  We confess our sin and acknowledge that He alone is God.  Jesus died on the cross for us, to make us holy and perfect in his sight.  Without him we are nothing. Without him, we will perish.  But with him we have eternal life. 

Sin can separate us from God, but the Lord’s precious blood given in sacrifice, once for all who believe, reunites us with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   1 John 1:5-9

What do we do to get right with him?  We repent of our sins, which means to change our mind.  We choose to reject the behaviors, the attitudes, the activities, and even people who lead us into sin. Repentance is a serious, purposeful change.  It does not mean to “feel sorry,” with no motive or commitment to change.  But if we are sincerely choosing to follow the Lord and to deny our own fleshly desires, putting God first, then, not only will he forgive our sin, but the word tells us that he chooses to forget our sins as well.

For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”  Hebrews 8:12

I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.  Isaiah 43:25

As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:1-2

You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.  Micah 7:19

“Blessed are they whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”  Romans 4:7-8

So if we confess our sins to God, he forgives our sin and remembers them no more!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord.  God is good.  

The Pasta Shells

The second vision is of uncooked pasta shells.  They were of average size.  Nothing else was seen in the vision, no container, bag or bowl.  I believe that the pasta in the vision represents people in general. They are all the same, uniform in size, shape and color.  I believe they represent a cultural group, and the notion of conformity.  

The world values conformity. The world has a viewpoint to which it expects everyone to adhere.  I can be seen in peer pressure, in social acceptance, in having a mind conformed to the traditions, and values of the group. It is all about seeking the approval of the group in order to “fit in.” It is about the pressure to conform so as to meet the criteria and expectations of the group.

Both Jesus and John the Baptist were examples of those who did not fit the cultural mold.  They  were rejected and hated by those that conformed to the group’s traditions and values.  Jesus explained that neither he nor John the Baptist fit their expectations.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”  Matthew 11:18-19

But even John the Baptist was perplexed by Jesus, for Jesus did not live up to his expectations either.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples  and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them.  And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”  Matthew 11:2-6

You can see by the first of the two underlined sentences that John the Baptist was being critical of Jesus.  Jesus points out John’s error in understanding the nature of his first coming, seeing that John had taken offense. 

John was critical of Jesus for not coming with power and judgment to establish his kingdom.  He had warned the Pharisees to “flee from the coming wrath or else produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”  But for his faithfulness, he was in prison, and Jesus was “doing nothing” that resembled the wrath of God.  John of course did not know that Jesus would come “on the clouds” in judgment at AD 70 to completely destroy Jerusalem, burn down the temple, end the daily sacrifice, and bring plague, famine and sword against his enemies, the Pharisees and teachers of the law who were to be held accountable for all the blood of the prophets shed from the beginning of human history with Abel (Adam’s son) to Zechariah. 

These are the words of Jesus recorded by Matthew:

 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.  Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.  You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?  Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,  so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar.  Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.  Matthew 23:29-36

And AD 70 was the time of this wrathful visitation of judgment, fulfilling the Lord’s own prophecy: “All these things will come upon this generation.”  

Jesus was rejected because he did not conform to their expectations. And Jesus warned his disciples that their time would be coming too, for persecution follows all that believe in him.  

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.  But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.  Whoever hates me hates my Father also.  If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.  But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’  John 15:18-25

We are not to agree with the world so as to avoid persecution. 

Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?  If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.  But I tell you truly, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”  Luke 9:23-27

I can’t help but mention that with the underlined sentence you see that Jesus promised to come in his glory and in the glory of the Father and with his holy angels, for you see the underlined statement tells us when–within that generation.

But the message today is that we are not to conform to the patterns of this world:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

We have only this life to get right with God.  There is much at stake, not just while we live in this world, but for all eternity.  The Lord tells us:

“...I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live..”  Deuteronomy 30:19

Thanks for reading.  Please share with others for now is not the time to compromise our faith.  It is time to step out and share it!  God bless you all!