How do you be in it but not of it?
I was just thinking about the topic that we are tackling at Powerhouse Central these days, “Our City - In it, not of it”.
Have you ever thought about the privilege it is to be found in salvation? Not only do we have this MASSIVE honour of being saved but God has also called us. No matter where you might find yourself in life; you are not only there as a saved person, which immediately sets you apart in terms of VALUE but you are also there as a called person, which sets you apart in terms of PURPOSE.
But I don’t know about you but it’s not always easy being different. How do we live it out? Sometimes the bar seems so high… Sometimes it just seems too hard… How do we do it? And how do we do it without breaking under the stress of striving? And what role does Grace play in the middle of all of this?
John Calvin said, “…it is a faculty of the reason and the will to choose good with the assistance of grace; evil, when grace is absent.”
How do you find being in the world but not of it??
I would love to hear from you,
Thomas
April 24th, 2009 at 2:08 am
I find it difficult in an environment of social workers who share predominantly an agnostic religeous stance as well as far left political views. At times I feel their scorn especially around election time. I yearn to find a way bridge in so they can know the love of God is greater than our differences. To my shame I’ve tended to be in agreement with gossip or taken part in not-quite 100% holsum talk/joking as a means to find common ground and befriend. Being my “self” in this setting has a far greater cost than in a career field not in business to help humanity. (they’re already doing good-make sense?) It’s a paradox. But God has put several strong bright shining Christians right smack in the middle of it to show me it can be done. So I’m recommitted to being the self Christ is making me. Praise Jesus and pray for me please.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Hey Laura
So good to hear that you are wanting to be a light in this world of yours and that you are aware of where you can step out even more. In terms of the people around you, remember that the aim is not to be “doing good”, it is to “be good” which ONLY Jesus can achieve in us and out of this stance, we do good. Whether someone does good or bad works accordning to human standards, we are all falling short of God and we ALL need God to save us.
I pray that God will give you an inroad to seak into their world and as you step out and sow a seed, you will see God’s grace work…
Thomas
May 20th, 2009 at 9:40 am
I find it hard not to let my co-workers and non christian friends values become my values as I dont want to be known as the way out freaky christian chick (that Karl Lenz spoke about at Encounter last year) but then again I dont want to sacrifice my beliefs just to fit in, its a tricky balance.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:44 am
I kind of stubbled upon your blog while looking up info about Hillsong Church. This blog asks tough questions that apply to everyone…
I am currently a college student and I am finding the experience to be very difficult. I have stayed true to myself and not given into the typical temptations of college life. There have been so many nights I have spent alone, crying because I am “different.” My faith and relationship with Christ comes first, always, but I do want to enjoy my college years. I have slowly realized that it isn’t about me though…it’s about all of the unsaved people that I cross paths with everyday. I am on this secular campus to be a light for the hopeless and lost. It took a lot of prayer, frustration and saddness to come to this realization but I now know my purpose. I may not “fit in” completely, but who cares? It’s not about me, it never has been…it’s about sharing the Word and planting seeds.
June 6th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I just wanted to reply to eliza, to say that sometimes God doesnt need us to always be the ‘freaky way out chick’ because its by grace the we are saved and not by works as the bible tells us. So i think by you just beng you are in Christ is enough for God to reach out to people in your world. I just pray that God will give you favour for what you do in him! And that people show their appreciation for you for taking a stand to hold a different oppinion and set of values that honours christ. Also that people will be touched by God through you and in his timing show you that your faith and loyalty allowed his plan to be fullfilled.